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.