Councillors clash again over future of swimming pools

THE debate about the future of publicly-owned swimming pools in West Lancashire has reignited after councillors clashed over a report mentioning the pools and one councillor claimed he understood the sites could face closure next year.

- BY ROBBIE MACDONALD

Earlier this year, Park Pool in Ormskirk and Nye Bevan Pool in Skelmersdale both faced closure in budget plans for the current financial year, which started in April.

The idea came after a West Lancashire Council report said continuing to run the two pools was not financially viable, even at reduced hours or by increasing membership fees.

Labour councillors said reluctantly they had no other choice, based on council officers' advice.

But the plan was disputed. There were protests from the public and opposition councillors, and some West Lancashire councillors left the ruling Labour group in protest. Later, the pools were kept open following a crunch vote at a special council meeting.

But the topic arose again at the latest full council meeting. It came when councillors discussed a report described as a 'summary of key achievements' linked to the council's vision and priorities for the 2023-2028 period.