l HAVING worked with council officers while putting together the alternative Green budget this year, I have a clear idea of the costs associated with the retention of Temple Cowley Pool, as well as the savings that would accrue from abandoning the building of a new pool at Blackbird Leys.

Indeed, the Green budget put forward fully costed proposals (that were approved by officers) for doing just that.

Even if one includes the loss of revenue from the sale of the Temple Cowley Pool land, it is much, much cheaper to refurbish the existing pool than build a new one.

The Labour-run city council seem unwilling to admit when they are wrong. In this case they are making a costly error at a time when the money could, and should, be more wisely invested in protecting local jobs.

CRAIG SIMMONS (Cllr) St Mary’s Ward Oxford