Petition fails to halt pool closure plans

9:30am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News

OXFORD City Council will push on with plans to close Temple Cowley Pool, despite a petition from residents. Councillors decided not to take action over the 2,000-name petition entitled “Labour Must Listen to Oxford” submitted by the Save Temple Cowley Pools Campaign.

The peitition, which was discussed at the full council meeting this week, said: “In the local elections in May, Labour received 14,321 votes, 12.8 per cent of the electorate.

“The Save Temple Cowley Pools campaign has over 17,500 signatures on the petitions it has submitted to the Oxford City Council that Labour still controls.

“As a result, we the undersigned do not believe that Labour has an electoral moral mandate to build a new 25m non-Olympic swimming pool in Blackbird Leys for over £13m, one third of this year’s building budget affecting all Oxford council taxpayers, when £3m will refurbish and improve the existing leisure facilities in East Oxford.”

But councillors decided simply to “note” the petition, despite pleas from the Green Party for them to take it more seriously.

Speaking after the meeting, Labour councillor and city board member for leisure services said the arguments for closing Temple Cowley still stacked up.

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He said: “We’ve been here before, we’ve had three petitions presented to us and the underlying facts haven’t changed.

“Temple Cowley still costs us far too much to run, and there are also the environmental credentials. Temple Cowley emits 866 tonnes of CO2 per year, and a new facility would only emit 286 tonnes.”

Comments (8)

11:55am Wed 10 Oct 12

Geoff Roberts says...

The councillors have neglected Temple Cowley Pools and the community for years. They have then failed to protect not just our community facilities but to protect another community from extra pressure. They have not only failed to protect everyone from creeping dependency on fossil fuels but they are in effect encouraging dependency on fossil fuels, damage which will also in effect be permanent. The councilors will now likely damage our community even further by selling off the land to private owners who will maximise their profits by cramming as many dwellings and leases as possible into the once publicly used space. The population of the community will increase whilst the facilities for the community will be decreased.

Finally, the councillors will privatise our land forever and then probably get voted into power again.
The councillors have neglected Temple Cowley Pools and the community for years. They have then failed to protect not just our community facilities but to protect another community from extra pressure. They have not only failed to protect everyone from creeping dependency on fossil fuels but they are in effect encouraging dependency on fossil fuels, damage which will also in effect be permanent. The councilors will now likely damage our community even further by selling off the land to private owners who will maximise their profits by cramming as many dwellings and leases as possible into the once publicly used space. The population of the community will increase whilst the facilities for the community will be decreased. Finally, the councillors will privatise our land forever and then probably get voted into power again. Geoff Roberts

1:28pm Wed 10 Oct 12

Andrew:Oxford says...

17,500 signatures - From all around the world...
17,500 signatures - From all around the world... Andrew:Oxford

1:31pm Wed 10 Oct 12

Andrew:Oxford says...

In case anyone missed this quote from a story published in "The Oxford Mail" in mid September.

**Among the cases thrown out by the ombudsman was a claim from Save Temple Cowley Pools campaigner Jane Alexander that the council failed to investigate her claims she was assaulted by councillor Bryan Keen. The council had previously found the claim to be false.**
In case anyone missed this quote from a story published in "The Oxford Mail" in mid September. **Among the cases thrown out by the ombudsman was a claim from Save Temple Cowley Pools campaigner Jane Alexander that the council failed to investigate her claims she was assaulted by councillor Bryan Keen. The council had previously found the claim to be false.** Andrew:Oxford

3:04pm Wed 10 Oct 12

paul from Kennington says...

From where I am B/B/Leys is far more accessible, and convenient for both parking and the bus, and only a reasonable walk to The Kassam for something to eat and a bit of bowling after a swim. As regards to the petition, of course it was thrown in the bin, it meant nothing, but if STCP if had left the petition behind reception and paying customers had to option to sign it then it may have been taken more seriously, but would also only have had a fraction of signatures (and no Homer Simpsons, Donald Ducks). And finally Mr Roberts I do not understand your fossil fuel comment, when the new pool will be sending out a whopping 11,600 tons less Co2 over the next 20 years, and the buses that serve the new pool are as green as you can get. So in conclusion build the new pool ASAP, and hopefully build council houses on the old site, but if not possible, then sell it off to the highest bidder to help the council finances. P.S. I did visit last week to enjoy the diving pool that STCP would be missing from the new pool, only to find it has been closed for years???
From where I am B/B/Leys is far more accessible, and convenient for both parking and the bus, and only a reasonable walk to The Kassam for something to eat and a bit of bowling after a swim. As regards to the petition, of course it was thrown in the bin, it meant nothing, but if STCP if had left the petition behind reception and paying customers had to option to sign it then it may have been taken more seriously, but would also only have had a fraction of signatures (and no Homer Simpsons, Donald Ducks). And finally Mr Roberts I do not understand your fossil fuel comment, when the new pool will be sending out a whopping 11,600 tons less Co2 over the next 20 years, and the buses that serve the new pool are as green as you can get. So in conclusion build the new pool ASAP, and hopefully build council houses on the old site, but if not possible, then sell it off to the highest bidder to help the council finances. P.S. I did visit last week to enjoy the diving pool that STCP would be missing from the new pool, only to find it has been closed for years??? paul from Kennington

8:12pm Fri 12 Oct 12

AmandaJP says...

Andrew:Oxford wrote:
17,500 signatures - From all around the world...
Andrew I have no idea who you are, but you do not appear to be a local person who understands the local people - I am one of those people who signed the petition and know many more LOCAL people who have signed it! Please stay in your concil box, where you obviously speaking from!
[quote][p][bold]Andrew:Oxford[/bold] wrote: 17,500 signatures - From all around the world...[/p][/quote]Andrew I have no idea who you are, but you do not appear to be a local person who understands the local people - I am one of those people who signed the petition and know many more LOCAL people who have signed it! Please stay in your concil box, where you obviously speaking from! AmandaJP

8:16pm Fri 12 Oct 12

AmandaJP says...

paul from Kennington wrote:
From where I am B/B/Leys is far more accessible, and convenient for both parking and the bus, and only a reasonable walk to The Kassam for something to eat and a bit of bowling after a swim. As regards to the petition, of course it was thrown in the bin, it meant nothing, but if STCP if had left the petition behind reception and paying customers had to option to sign it then it may have been taken more seriously, but would also only have had a fraction of signatures (and no Homer Simpsons, Donald Ducks). And finally Mr Roberts I do not understand your fossil fuel comment, when the new pool will be sending out a whopping 11,600 tons less Co2 over the next 20 years, and the buses that serve the new pool are as green as you can get. So in conclusion build the new pool ASAP, and hopefully build council houses on the old site, but if not possible, then sell it off to the highest bidder to help the council finances. P.S. I did visit last week to enjoy the diving pool that STCP would be missing from the new pool, only to find it has been closed for years???
So therefore you can also go to the original blackbird leys pool? Shame about all of those people who WILL be affected by the closure of Temple Cowley. Also the cost to the tax payer for building a new pool as opposed to the refurbishment of Temple Cowley (equally which would result in lower Co2..supported by the Green party ..who shoudl know!)..some 7-10 MILLION pounds. I have actually seen figures and information from both sides...have you?
[quote][p][bold]paul from Kennington[/bold] wrote: From where I am B/B/Leys is far more accessible, and convenient for both parking and the bus, and only a reasonable walk to The Kassam for something to eat and a bit of bowling after a swim. As regards to the petition, of course it was thrown in the bin, it meant nothing, but if STCP if had left the petition behind reception and paying customers had to option to sign it then it may have been taken more seriously, but would also only have had a fraction of signatures (and no Homer Simpsons, Donald Ducks). And finally Mr Roberts I do not understand your fossil fuel comment, when the new pool will be sending out a whopping 11,600 tons less Co2 over the next 20 years, and the buses that serve the new pool are as green as you can get. So in conclusion build the new pool ASAP, and hopefully build council houses on the old site, but if not possible, then sell it off to the highest bidder to help the council finances. P.S. I did visit last week to enjoy the diving pool that STCP would be missing from the new pool, only to find it has been closed for years???[/p][/quote]So therefore you can also go to the original blackbird leys pool? Shame about all of those people who WILL be affected by the closure of Temple Cowley. Also the cost to the tax payer for building a new pool as opposed to the refurbishment of Temple Cowley (equally which would result in lower Co2..supported by the Green party ..who shoudl know!)..some 7-10 MILLION pounds. I have actually seen figures and information from both sides...have you? AmandaJP

11:57pm Fri 12 Oct 12

paul from Kennington says...

Amanda, far more people will benefit from the new location than suffer from it, I feel that it is being on a council estate with a bad reputation that is the real reason for the vocal minority objecting, as an extra 5 minutes on the bus is hardly hardship, I have seen figures from both sides, but more relevant was a debate I listened to on Radio Oxford a while back, where the councillor involved quashed the arguments from STCP even though he was outnumbered by the opposition, and the figures he presented were reliable, whereas the others were not. I understand your sadness at losing something on your doorstep, but you have to understand that things need to move on for the greater good. I am sure that in a couple of years we ALL will be enjoying a state of the art brand new facility.
Amanda, far more people will benefit from the new location than suffer from it, I feel that it is being on a council estate with a bad reputation that is the real reason for the vocal minority objecting, as an extra 5 minutes on the bus is hardly hardship, I have seen figures from both sides, but more relevant was a debate I listened to on Radio Oxford a while back, where the councillor involved quashed the arguments from STCP even though he was outnumbered by the opposition, and the figures he presented were reliable, whereas the others were not. I understand your sadness at losing something on your doorstep, but you have to understand that things need to move on for the greater good. I am sure that in a couple of years we ALL will be enjoying a state of the art brand new facility. paul from Kennington

6:53pm Mon 15 Oct 12

AmandaJP says...

paul from Kennington wrote:
Amanda, far more people will benefit from the new location than suffer from it, I feel that it is being on a council estate with a bad reputation that is the real reason for the vocal minority objecting, as an extra 5 minutes on the bus is hardly hardship, I have seen figures from both sides, but more relevant was a debate I listened to on Radio Oxford a while back, where the councillor involved quashed the arguments from STCP even though he was outnumbered by the opposition, and the figures he presented were reliable, whereas the others were not. I understand your sadness at losing something on your doorstep, but you have to understand that things need to move on for the greater good. I am sure that in a couple of years we ALL will be enjoying a state of the art brand new facility.
Hi Paul
Actually I live in Blackbird Leys myself. I go to the leisure centre and have been many times, and have rarely seen it used to capacity? I would love the BBLEys pool that is already in existence to be refurshied and have greater opening times. I also heard the radio interview and noted that the councillor could not actually provide any detailed information about the figures when asked. So I'm not clear it was that informative or transparent?

It also isn't an extra 5 minutes on the bus for many people, who do NOT have a direct bus link - the extra travel time, let alone cost, will stop lots of people accessing a new pool- for them, and many with disabilities and low incomes, this WILL be a hardship.

Lastly I would just add that the new pool proposed, from what I have seen, is the same size as what is already in existence at Temple Cowley...I'm not sure what you mean by state of the art? It will also lose a steam room and a diving pool, which could be refurbished at Temple Cowley - could you provide more information to let me know what you mean by state of the art? Thanks
[quote][p][bold]paul from Kennington[/bold] wrote: Amanda, far more people will benefit from the new location than suffer from it, I feel that it is being on a council estate with a bad reputation that is the real reason for the vocal minority objecting, as an extra 5 minutes on the bus is hardly hardship, I have seen figures from both sides, but more relevant was a debate I listened to on Radio Oxford a while back, where the councillor involved quashed the arguments from STCP even though he was outnumbered by the opposition, and the figures he presented were reliable, whereas the others were not. I understand your sadness at losing something on your doorstep, but you have to understand that things need to move on for the greater good. I am sure that in a couple of years we ALL will be enjoying a state of the art brand new facility.[/p][/quote]Hi Paul Actually I live in Blackbird Leys myself. I go to the leisure centre and have been many times, and have rarely seen it used to capacity? I would love the BBLEys pool that is already in existence to be refurshied and have greater opening times. I also heard the radio interview and noted that the councillor could not actually provide any detailed information about the figures when asked. So I'm not clear it was that informative or transparent? It also isn't an extra 5 minutes on the bus for many people, who do NOT have a direct bus link - the extra travel time, let alone cost, will stop lots of people accessing a new pool- for them, and many with disabilities and low incomes, this WILL be a hardship. Lastly I would just add that the new pool proposed, from what I have seen, is the same size as what is already in existence at Temple Cowley...I'm not sure what you mean by state of the art? It will also lose a steam room and a diving pool, which could be refurbished at Temple Cowley - could you provide more information to let me know what you mean by state of the art? Thanks AmandaJP

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