PLANS for the community to take over Cresta Swimming Pool have been REJECTED by Somerset County Council.

A spokesman this morning said: "Somerset County Council has informed the Kingfisher Community Pool (KCP) group that it is, regrettably, unable to accept its business case for taking on the running of Cresta swimming pool in Chard.

"The authority recognises the ambition, efforts and intentions of the group and the enthusiasm shown by the local community.

"Before transferring any asset to a community group the Council has a responsibility to carry out due diligence checks and be satisfied that the transfer can happen without a risk to the public."

Cllr Amanda Broom is the county councillor for Chard North and a member of the Kingfisher Community Group.

She said: "I am completely despondent regarding the announcement this morning. It has been apparent the whole way through this attempted purchase by the Community that SCC have had no intention of allowing it.

"To consider their current financial position, and the fact that as a community we would be saving them £250k, their inability to work with the group more has been astounding. 

"The group have had immense public support, and have worked tirelessly against the ridiculous timescales which SCC gave them. There has been no allowance for site visits (as promised), and no opportunity to protect what is a desperately needed community resource. 

"It baffles me that a public organisation in severe financial difficulties has the nerve to reject a business plan when they admitted they have no knowledge of running a pool.

"The group of trustees have sought professional advice from pool operators, the business plan was based on actual pool providers across the South West. Repairs necessary would have been undertaken by local trades people - over 100 offered equipment and time." 

Officers reviewed two earlier drafts of the business plan, with support from finance and legal specialists, and provided feedback to the group.

The final business case was considered in great detail and assessed on principles of feasibility, viability and sustainability.

Detailed reasons for the council’s position are being provided to the group’s representatives, but hinge on concerns about optimistic predictions of costs and income, a lack of contingency, unrealistic estimates regarding insurance costs and unclear plans for repairs and maintenance.

The pool, which is owned by the council, has outlived its planned lifespan by more than a decade and now needs more than £1m of investment to replace failing equipment and to bring it up to standard.

Due to significant financial pressures the Council is not in a position to fund this work.

A decision taken in August allowed time for the community to come forward with a fully-costed and workable business case for transferring the pool to community ownership while ensuring the safety of all visitors.

Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Community Infrastructure, said: “We were keen to see the community proposals work and our decision not to accept the business case in is no way a reflection on the effort that has been put into this.

“But, as a responsible organisation, we have to carry out due diligence. Unless we are completely satisfied that the transfer could happen without risk to the public we cannot not let it go ahead.

"It has to be feasible, viable and sustainable – and, unfortunately, we do not believe that is the case.

“Officers have provided support and guidance, given all the information they were able to give and sign-posted the group to where other information could be found.

“We have invested considerable time and effort, but unfortunately what we cannot invest is money.

"Providing leisure facilities is not a County Council responsibility and in these very difficult financial times we just cannot afford the costs of keeping this pool open.”

Regeneration plans for Chard launched recently by South Somerset District Council include a pool as part of leisure facilities.