THE campaign to save Banbury's open-air swimming pool took a cautious step forward on Monday when Cherwell District Council's executive agreed to look again at the controversial issue.

The executive could now include the Woodgreen pool in its overall district-wide leisure programme.

The move would effectively be a U-turn on an earlier Cherwell decision - to concentrate on just three leisure centres in the district: Bicester, Kidlington, and Spiceball in Banbury.

Woodgreen, which includes the outdoor pool, an indoor bowls green, and other facilities, was included in an initial Cherwell plan three years ago to refurbish the district's four leisure centres, but was dropped from the project because of budget limitations.

Now, after negotiations between Banbury Town Council and Cherwell, in which the town authority guaranteed £50,000 a year towards the pool's running costs, Cherwell's executive has agreed to take a new look at the situation.

Cherwell leader Barry Wood said: "We are looking at this again with help from our Banbury colleagues. We want to bring back open-air swimming if we can, but there are a lot of unanswered questions - such as the condition of the plant and insurance. My vision is that the outdoor pool could be 'bolted on' to the district's total leisure contract with whichever company wins the deal."

He added: "But I wouldn't want anyone rushing around saying the pool is saved.

"This executive wants open-air swimming in Banbury but it must make rational decisions, not just chuck money at it."

Pat Cartledge said the executive's response was disappointing. He said the pool was a district facility and Cherwell was the area's lead council for sport and leisure.

He said: "It is Cherwell's responsibility to put the pool in good order."

Ray Gasson said: "The pool is a high-risk proposition, and we must take the maintenance of an ageing plant seriously. We must continue to look at the issue, but we cannot make a final decision."

George Reynolds added: "We must be prepared for change. The problem is not just money. We opened the pool on two occasions until insurance difficulties occurred."

He said the council should not be drawn into a series of "hopes and despairs".

Andrew Fulljames warned of "too much nostalgia" and warned that opening the pool just for the school summer holidays would be commercial suicide.

At the start of the discussion, councillors Ann Bonner, Alyas Ahmed, and Nigel Morris - all non-executive members - had looked back on the pool's glory days, and called for the executive to find a way forward.

  • Monday's decision comes despite forecasts of huge financial losses at the open-air pool, particularly in bad weather summers.

Consultants employed by Banbury Town Council revealed last month that the pool could lose up to £50,000 in a good year, and up to £220,000 in a bad year.

Cherwell has already committed money to Woodgreen by recently installing a new £20,000 bowls carpet and new heating.

Kieron Mallon, who was not at the meeting, appealed for local groups and parish councils to support the venture.

He said: "The town council's commitment has made Cherwell look again. I now ask other groups to support us."