Kirkham Transfer Approved
At today’s meeting of Fylde Borough Council’s Cabinet the recommendation to transfer the management of Kirkham Swimming Pool to the YMCA was approved.
Swimmer in a pool doing the butterfly stroke
This means that after nearly 18 months of negotiations, feasibility studies and investigations the Council can enter the final stage of handing over the pool to ensure it stays open beyond the proposed closure date of 31 March 2009.
The agreed terms of the transfer will see the site leased to the YMCA whilst the Council is in receipt of Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) grants and then transferred to the YMCA’s ownership for the further provision of swimming to the community. The Council will also make payments to the YMCA to subsidise the running of the pool including the transfer of grants made available for the Government’s free swimming for the over 60s scheme.
However, talks are now set to begin about staffing for the pool. Currently, Council staff are working at the pool and, if the transfer is successful, they will have to be employed by the YMCA. The system of making these arrangements can be costly and time consuming. If they do not take place quickly the pool transfer could take longer to complete making it run over beyond 31 March incurring more costs to the Council.
Councillor Simon Renwick, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “I am happy that the Cabinet has agreed to transfer the asset of Kirkham Pool into the hands of the YMCA. The Council’s position is now clear.
"However we have to consider the legal obligations placed on the council in relation to its current staff because the agreed transfer includes provision for the YMCA to take over the employment of the staff at the pool. There are still detailed discussions to be had with the YMCA about this and there is still some uncertainty about the outcome."
John Cronin, Executive Officer, Fylde Coast YMCA: “We are pleased that Fylde Borough Council’s Cabinet have agreed to opt to transfer Kirkham Swimming Pool to Fylde Coast YMCA, however they are aware of the principals we have set out regarding this asset transfer.
“Their further agreement or non agreement to those principals will determine whether or not Fylde Coast YMCA will be able to take over the operation of Kirkham Swimming Pool.
“We shall await further discussions with Fylde Borough Council before clarifying our position.”
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