At a special meeting of Falkirk Council to be held next week, Elected Members will be asked to consider a phased approach to the potential closure of four secondary school swimming pools.
While the initial proposal to close the school pools was included in a comprehensive report on estate rationalisation last December, it was agreed a separate and more detailed report was necessary.
On Tuesday, 23 May, council officers will put forward recommendations to close the school pools at Grangemouth, Graeme, Falkirk, and Larbert High Schools in stages over a four-year period.
If agreed by Councillors, Grangemouth High School's pool would be the first to close in August 2023, due to its proximity to alternative provision.
Phasing closure is being put forward by officers, as it will allow:
- Careful assessment of the impacts of closure
- Evaluation of opportunities for generating additional income
- Energy-saving measures to be implemented that could reduce energy costs
Research & analysis
The recommendations in the report to be discussed, come on the back of a comprehensive review of the Council's current provision, benchmarking exercises, and Equality and Poverty Impact Assessments (EPIAs) for each pool.
The views and input of various stakeholders, including Parent Councils and national and local swimming organisations, have also played a crucial role in shaping officer’s recommendations.
If a phased approach is agreed, it would allow the Council to spread the current £400,000 budget saving attached to the closures over four years.
However, an additional saving of £150,000 would need to be identified and agreed upon for the 2023/24 period to effectively mitigate the financial implications.
Pool provision
Even with phased closure of the four pools, Falkirk Council would still maintain its position as the third most generous provider of swimming pools per head of population in Scotland.
Closing the pools would also result in an estimated reduction of approximately 766 tonnes of CO2 emissions, which represents an overall gas and electricity energy saving for the Council of c5%.
David Mackay, Falkirk Council’s Head of Education, said:
"As a Council, we understand the importance of providing a well-rounded education that includes opportunities for physical activity and development. We must continue to evaluate and adapt our provision to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students and the wider community while, at the same time, being financially prudent. The recommendations being put to Councillors have been made after careful assessment and consideration of the impacts."