EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Exec board member: Regeneration & Leisure

14^th December 2006

The future of Hendy Outdoor Pool

SUMMARY OF PURPOSE OF REPORT. The pool is currently closed as a result of structural failure. Executive Board were presented with an initial report back on the 21st February 2005, and requested that a second, more detailed independent survey be undertaken to assess the feasibility of repairing and re-opening the pool. The second, more detailed report by Roger Cassey Associates (Consulting Civil and Structural Engineers) concluded that the pool was beyond economical repair. Upon receipt of this report, the local pool committee, questioned the content of the report (being as it was only looking at the structural elements of the pool), and subsequently, Mott McDonald undertook a full structural appraisal and feasibility study for refurbishment in April 2006. This report again concluded that the pool had reached the end of its serviceable life, and that it would cost £468,413 to totally re-furbish the pool. These costs are based upon quotations, QS estimates and expert opinion, and included the following elements: Pool reconstruction; DDA works; Engineering works; Building re-furbishment; and fees. The local people of Hendy are campaigning hard for the pool to be re-opened, and are actively seeking grant aid for this purpose. Officers therefore require a political steer to progress matters in the locality. Copies of the second report by Roger Cassey Associates and Mott McDonald have been made available or forwarded to the local pool committee, the local member, and the Assembly Member for the area, whilst the Executive Board Member and Head of Leisure and Sport have met with delegations from the area on numerous occasions. It is recommended that the Executive Board Member approve that CCC provides the local pool committee in Hendy with a long term lease for the Outdoor pool and associated changing facilities in Hendy Park, and supports the committee for a period of 18 months in trying to obtain grant aid for the re-building of the pool. This decision being made on the basis of information to hand and subject to agreement from the local pool committee: a) that the existing pool has reached the end of its serviceable life and will cost in the region of £470k to re-build to CCC specification b) that the authority does not have the money to invest in the pool in the short or medium term (at least 3 years) c) that the authority maintains it's current revenue commitment of £7k p.a. towards the pool / park in Hendy d) that the pool committee would take over the running of the pool, should finances become available to re-build it. Should the pool committee not wish to take the option of a lease on, the pool would remain closed and need to be filled in and made safe with immediate effect. The authority would then look to develop the park in Hendy using the £7k p.a. as seed funding for any future developments / grant bids. OTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE AND THEIR PROS AND CONS 1. CCC pay for re-furbishing the pool - The authority does not have the capital to undertake this work over the next 3 years (minimum) - The scheme would have to be prioritised against other bids in future years, if it were to be considered. - External grants are difficult to source for the authority to the value of almost £500k for this scheme. That said, CCC funding officers will continue to investigate this possibility. 1. Private sector investment - Not a feasible option as nearly all pools runs at a cost subsidy, rather than profit.
DETAILED REPORT ATTACHED ?	NO

INTEGRATION

I confirm that the Community Strategy Integration Tool has: Not yet been used to appraise the subject of this report, but is scheduled for appraisal in December 2006 and the results will be reported to the Executive Board Member for Regen & Leisure. Signed: Ian Jones Head of Leisure and Sport

IMPLICATIONS

I confirm that other than those implications which have been agreed with the appropriate Directors / Heads of Service and are referred to in detail below, there are no other implications associated with this report : Signed: Ian Jones Head of Leisure and Sport

Policy and Crime & Disorder	Legal	Finance	ICT	Risk Management Issues	Organisational Development	Physical Assets
NONE	NONE	YES	NONE	NONE	NONE	YES

3. Finance The Leisure Division has £7K per annum of funding earmarked for the running of Hendy Pool. Since its closure, this funding has been used for works associated with the pool e.g. H&S works (emptying the pool etc.), structural surveys and fees, and studies to look at a site development plan for Hendy Pool. The local pool committee have been given verbal assurances that the £7k p.a. would be earmarked for leisure provision in Hendy for the immediate future (either for the pool, or alternative provision) The cost of replacing the pool with a 25m outdoor facility is estimated as being £468K. There is no capital finance identified within the current Leisure Capital programme for this work. The external funding team are actively looking for grant for the authority or the local pool committee, and will continue to do so up until 31st March 2008.

6. Physical Assets The Heads of Corporate Property and Streetscene (who manage Hendy Park) have been made aware of the report, in light of possible future actions with disposals of asset, lease arrangements and possible redevelopment of the Park.

CONSULTATIONS

I confirm that the appropriate consultations have taken in place and the outcomes are as detailed below Signed: Ian Jones Head of Leisure and Sport

1.Local Member(s) The local member has been involved in meetings and correspondence leading up to the need to obtain a political steer from the Executive Board Member of the Council. The Assembly member for the area has also been provided with a copy of the structural and feasibility surveys. 2.Community / Town Council Have been involved in the public meetings, and are aware of the campaign in Hendy to re-open the pool 3.Relevant Partners Local organisations, clubs, the Swimming Pool Committee, and individuals from Hendy have attended a number of public meetings in relation to the future of the Pool, whilst the authority has received a considerable volume of correspondence in support of the re-opening of the pool. 4.Staff Side Representatives and other Organisations N/A
Section 100D Local Government Act, 1972 - Access to Information List of Background Papers used in the preparation of this report: THESE ARE DETAILED BELOW
Title of Document	File Ref No.	Locations that the papers are available for public inspection
Roger Casey Associates - Structural Engineers report on Hendy pool		Civil Engineers report (April 2003) on the structural damage to Hendy pool. Report located in Council offices, Parc Myrddin, Carmarthen
Mott Mcdonald Structural appraisal and feasibility for refurbishment of Hendy Pool (April 2006)		Report located in Council offices, Parc Myrddin, Carmarthen