CRESTA: Fury as 1610 equipment thrown in skip labelled "criminal waste"

Swimmers and members of the Kingfisher Community Group saw members of staff binning chairs, tables and other notice boards starting yesterday (August 24).

Now, they have hit out at what they describe as "wanton destruction of a community asset".

Cllr Amanda Broom is Chard North county councillor and a member of the Kingfisher core group.

She said: "I believe this is a criminal waste of equipment that looks perfectly usable.

"Even if the community group couldn't have been offered it, there are man groups in the community which could have put it to use. There are groups in desperate need across the county.

"What we don't understand is that we are trying to buy the pool as a community group, for the good of the community - why is this happening?

"If we take this over we are going to save the council £250,000 in demolition costs. We have asked for nothing but a bit of help and support.

"Now they want us to pay running costs from September 4, which could be until December 10 by their timeline.

"We still don't know what those running costs will be - we have had no indication of costs.

"As a community we are being asked to sign a blank cheque and then they could turn around at the end and say the business plan isn't good enough."

Alan Slater is another member of the Kingfisher Community Group.

He said: "This is absolutely wanton destruction of a community asset to thwart an attempt to takeover running of the pool by a third party, with no consideration for the community.

"I am flabergasted they can throw this away. Why not offer it out. 1610 are there to just run the pool they don't need to strip it."

Cllr Broom added: "The council are saying that it is only the pool and the hoist that we can buy, but we all know full well that there was more than that in there when 1610 took over.

"All the dry facilities are being taken over by the (Holyrood) Academy, why not give this to the kids."

Alan added: "The facilities were originally run by the school and now they are being left with nothing.

"It will all be gone. They (1610) should just lock the doors. It is not down to them to strip the place unless the council want them to do it.

"This will just cost the community more to get the pool back running."

Cllr Broom said: "Why are they even putting us through all these hoops.

"They won't let us in daily to check."

Alan said: "My personal view is that the council allowing this to happen is negligent ownership of a communtiy asset.

"As for the Chard regeneration project. It is going to be four to six years, at least. The Chard regeneration has regenerated more times that Doctor Who.

"So, there is little confidence in that plan happening any time soon. It is imperative that this pool is kept open for residents."