Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to Elizabeth Jackson, Principal Democratic Services Officer, and supplied the text by midday on Thursday 2 October 2025, three working days before the day of the meeting. Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item. Members of the public who have given notice will be invited to speak:
· at this point in the meeting if their questions/statements relate to matters which are not otherwise on the Agenda (subject to an overall time limit of 30 minutes);
· when the relevant Agenda item is being considered if they wish to speak on a matter which is on the Agenda for this meeting.
If you are exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded, please inform the Leader who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.
Minutes:
Four public questions and statements had been received in relation to Minute 753 – Richmond Swimming Pool Options Appraisal, which are detailed below.
1. Question from Matthew Ward
Thank you councillors, officers and chair.
My name is Matthew Ward and I am resident of Richmond and, with my entire family, long-term, frequent users of Richmond Pool.
I would like to start by recognising the commitment which North Yorkshire Council is showing to Richmond by finding the money to repair our pool. I am extremely grateful for the work of many to get to this stage. This crucial resource cannot be allowed for fall into disrepair and closure. It is a cornerstone of our community, an iconic building and a vital swimming facility for the people of Richmond and beyond We hope it will continue to provide opportunities for exercise, training, rehabilitation, social interaction and fun …. for many years to come.
Throughout this closure, consultation and decision-making process thousands of people have missed out on opportunities to swim and enjoy the pool. All we wanted was it to be fixed, improved and reopened as soon as possible. And I’m really glad that finally seems to be happening.
Now it is vital that the work is carried out swiftly and to an excellent standard. And once the pool is reopened, it is crucial that it is run with vigour and purpose to recapture those users who have been denied access for what will be a year, clubs and schools who’ve had to make alternative, inferior arrangements, coaches and staff who really want the pool to be a success. We need those who value our pool back in and around the water.
And we need to get more users. People who’ve never been, or used to go years ago and were put off by regular closures, cold changing rooms and unmotivated staff. And to that end, I would like to ask councillors and officers to confirm previous offers of ongoing dialogue with a community group of users and stakeholders to feedback our experiences and look for opportunities for improvement. We have ideas that need to be taken into account. The user experience of the pool MUST improve.
Finally, I would like assurances about future investment. While it is wonderful that it looks like the money is forthcoming for a set of immediate needs to reopen the pool, it needs to be acknowledged that a facility, which will celebrate 50 years of use next year, will need more investment in the future. Given that our only alternative is an MOD-owed facility, already busting at the seams, in a growing military town, Richmond pool and leisure facilities must remain viable. What guarantees can the council give us that running costs will be met for the foreseeable future and, when the next costly repair or improvement is needed, money will be found?
Response:
The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, thanked Mr Ward for his question that the council are happy to consider the views of users of the facility at Richmond and to engage in positive dialogue. Any local groups or forums that can provide a representative view of users are welcome to arrange a meeting with the management team at site. Further communication will be included in the marketing plan for re-opening and we will promote and encourage feedback through implementation of digital systems, including a new leisure management system.
We are investing over £1million in undertaking repairs to the pool and this will deal with a number of longstanding issues. Thereafter lifecycle repairs will continue to be undertaken as required. In addition we have further committed to replacing the gym and fitness equipment at Liberty Gym. This is a significant investment in the future of the Richmond leisure site.
As is the case with any of our facilities and services, they may be subject to further review at some point in the future but given the level of investment we fully expect that Richmond will continue to operate for the forseeable future.
2. Statement from Julie Young
We would firstly like to thank you for the proposal of allocating funding to carry out the necessary works to Richmond Swimming Pool, and the commitment David Ashbridge made at the meeting on 27th September to the long term existence and vision of Richmond Pool. We hope that, with the strong and consistent support shown for keeping the pool open, the funding will now be formally agreed today so that work can begin without further delay.
Our principal concern in relation to Richmond Swimming Pool is the issue of footfall. We would like assurance that, under the external management arrangements currently in place, there are structured plans to increase usage of the facility. Specifically, we seek confirmation that initiatives are being developed to introduce additional activities, classes, and events that will attract new and returning users, thereby generating increased revenue and supporting the long-term sustainability of both the pool and the café. This is of particular importance given that the pool will already have lost customers during the period it was closed, as well as staff connected to lessons and classes, and therefore must work harder to rebuild its customer base.
It is further noted that Northallerton Swimming Pool has now been closed. However, unlike the process followed for Richmond Swimming Pool, there has been no notification of a consultation survey being undertaken. For consistency, transparency, and fairness across all facilities, we believe that the same consultation process should have been carried out in respect of Northallerton, ensuring local users had the opportunity to express their views as it was interesting to hear the views of Richmondshire.
Response:
The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, thanked Ms Young for the question and stated that we are very keen to ensure that usage of Richmond Pool and Liberty Gym are maximised once the pool reopens. We will be reviewing the pool timetable and offer alongside the marketing strategy for the site. We also expect that the additional investment in new gym and fitness equipment at Liberty will provide an attractive offer to both existing and new potential members.
Northallerton Pool closed on Monday 29th September due to an unexpected water pipe leak, a team of pool plant specialist are currently working to repair the issue in view of the pool re-opening at the weekend or at the latest early next week. The scale of this repair is minor in comparison to the significant work required at Richmond, however, for your assurance, we have assessed the position regarding Northallerton as part of our Leisure Investment Strategy. Northallerton has been identified as an important site which will be retained. We are not, therefore, looking at further options in relation to the site and therefore further consultation is not required at this time.
3. Question from Rachael Simpson – read out by Julie Young
We thank the council for their investment in Richmond swimming pool.
I would like to know if an investigation is ongoing regarding the failures of the repair work just 2 years ago. Will any compensation be paid to the council for these failures? Why was the issue not picked up during these surveys? And what extra due diligence on the contractor is being done to ensure we are not in the same position in two years’ time?
Response:
The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, thanked Ms Simpson for the question and advised that NYC took over the management of Richmond Pool on 1 March 2025 from Richmond Leisure Trust and we do not hold detailed project information about the previous works. We believe the works were to the roof of the building and window replacement and these works are separate to the internal ceiling failure which resulted in the recent closure of the pool (2025). We have no information to suggest that compensation would be appropriate and NYC has made no claim in respect of previous works.
A condition report was undertaken as part of the transfer of the leisure assets back into the council, a visual inspection was undertaken of the ceiling cladding and found to have no faults as the time of the survey.
A procurement exercise is currently being planned to appoint a contractor to undertake the required works. All contractors considered will be competent, hold insurance, the works will be managed and monitored throughout and works will be certified by Building Control as required.
4. Question from Jackie Stubbs
Jackie Stubbs had submitted a lengthy statement and questions which had been circulated to Executive members before the meeting. The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, advised that he would send a full written response, and made the following brief points:
· The Council had considered seeking external funding, however Heritage Lottery Funding would not be possible as Richmond Pool did not meet the criteria of a historic structure.
· All aspects of the building would be surveyed and all issues would be dealt with as part of a planned programme. In addition replacement gym and fitness equipment would be funded. It was important that the new pool be used in order for it to remain viable.
· The report examined a number of options for Richmond Pool. The Council was now committing to reopening the pool and making it a better performing, better used and less subsidised facility for the people of Richmond.