Purpose

To approve the retention of and structural
improvements to the swimming pool at Peterchurch Primary
School

Decision

That:
a)   
The swimming pool at Peterchurch Primary
School is retained in principle as part of the new school site;
and
b)   
Responsibility for the renovation,
upgrade, and long-term operation of the swimming pool rests with
the school, where the upgrade shall be funded by secured Section
106 contributions and, where appropriate, any uncommitted budget
within the approved Peterchurch Primary School rebuild project;
and
c)   
The Service Director for Education,
Skills and Learning, oversees the integration of the retained pool
within the site plan, ensuring that no additional capital pressure
is created for the council.
 

Alternative options considered

1.            
Do nothing -
Not viable. Cabinet (27 October 2022) required Peterchurch Primary
School and the Parish Council to bring forward a viable business
case for retaining the pool within 12 months, otherwise the pool
would be demolished within the approved project budget.
2.            
Demolish the
pool - Demolition of the pool would cost £20,000 and would
remove a long-standing local facility highly valued by the
community. The school would incur significant ongoing costs
(approx. £10,560 per year – from the school business
case) for transport, pool hire and instructors to access
alternative provision 11 miles away. This option has negative
curriculum, financial and wellbeing implications for a rural
community where practical alternatives are limited.
3.            
Construct a
new pool – This option was previously explored and rejected.
Cabinet concluded that a new-build pool would provide year-round
capacity but would be unaffordable and generate higher operating
costs, making it poor value for money in the context of the school
rebuild budget.