Protesters applauded with council to rethink swimming pool closure

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Exeter's Northbrook swimming pool received applause from politicians of all parties after taking their protest to the city council.

- by GUY HENDERSON Local Democracy Reporter

And they were told by a senior councillor: "We have let you down."

Dozens of people chanted 'Save our pool' as members arrived for their meeting at the Guildhall in the city centre to hear impassioned pleas for them to think again.

The council decided to discuss the future of the pool in detail at a scrutiny meeting in the summer, and promised to listen to all opinions before making a decision. The protesters left the chamber after the debate to applause from councillors who praised their campaign.

Councillor Michael Mitchell told them: "We have let you down.

"This is yet again a sorry saga of last-minute decision making and back-of-a-fag-packet budget adjustments, and a failure to have really meaningful public engagement."