It was standing room only at The Manor House on Thursday 27th February as over forty pool supporters attended Buntingford Town Council’s monthly full council meeting, as a request by us for a grant of £45,000 was to be debated. To the credit of the chairman Cllr Wallace, everyone present was given the opportunity to have their voice heard. There were many personal stories of generations of swimming lessons and enjoyment had at the pool, together with regret that it had had to close. There were also concerns raised about the current lack of swimming teaching available to local schools with a recognition of how the ability to swim saves lives.

We were able to explain to the council that we had not approached them for significant funding previously due to our bid for a Community Ownership Fund grant which would have financed the whole project. This fund is now closed following the change of government. We argued that despite the rundown nature of the facility, it was lack of investment in maintenance rather than lack of use which had led to the closure. Close to five hundred children were enrolled in swimming lessons as well as the use by our local schools, Buntingford Swimming Club and the public, both for adult fitness sessions, general swimming and pleasure.

Every member of the council indicated their broad support for the cause, with Cllr Ricketts being unequivocal in his support. Members of the council recognised the effort put into producing the business case we had submitted to them, but considered further guarantees were required before they were prepared to commit council funds. The principal area of concern was over the securing of a lease for the building from the owners, Hertfordshire County Council (HCC). We were able to point out that negotiations with HCC to date had resulted in HCC wanting assurances that sufficient funding was in place before they would issue such a lease. Therefore, we are faced with something of an impasse. Other concerns raised had regard to the ongoing running costs with particular reference to the cost of utilities and the consequences of failure should the reopening not prove to be viable in two years or so. In our view, our ability to be open for longer hours with a varied timetable coupled with a greater population since Buntingford’s expansion, will mean increased patronage and therefore income. Should the project prove to not be a success in the coming years, the result will be that Buntingford would have benefited from a further period of swimming pool use and the pool itself will have been refurbished and thereby returned to the owners as a functioning asset.

Cllr Waite put forward a suggestion that a joint working party be established to suggest improvements to the business case and strengthen future grant funding applications. The matter of approving the requested grant was put to the vote with three options: Reject, Accept or establish the suggested working party.

Apart from Cllr Ricketts voting to accept, the council voted unanimously for the creation of the working party to jointly advance the campaign of reopening of the pool. Work will now begin on convening this group as soon as possible.

A big thank you to everyone who gave up their evening in order to support the pool campaign and spoke so eloquently and passionately on our behalf. It was most gratifying and confirms to us the need to continue.