News RSS Feed


Reprieve for Kirkham baths but St Annes pool to close

10:22am Tuesday 4th March 2008

comment Comments (123)   Have your say »

By Chris Gee »

St Annes Swimming Pool will close later this year after councillors voted through a range of cost cutting measures.

At a five hour budget meeting of Fylde Borough Council yesterday evening, the decision was made to axe the pool, which was the subject of a protest march on Saturday attended by hundreds of people.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE COUNCIL'S DECISION?

Comment below with your views

A rescue package was agreed for Kirkham Baths, which was also under threat, which will see the pool remain open for at least another year.

A series of amendments designed to save both pools were tabled at the meeting, held at Fylde Rugby Club, but it was resolved that the 20-year-old St Annes pool will close on July 31.

The decision was made to plug a £1M deficit in the council's finances which the authority blames partially on the cost of providing concessionary travel.

The one-year package put in place to save the Kirkham facility from closure came to £129,000 and will see a ten per cent hike in short stay car parking in Lytham and St Annes and a 30 per cent rise in long stay parking.

Admission charges at the pool will also be increased.

The council agreed a 4.9 per cent rise in their portion of the council tax rise for 2008/2009, the maximum it can under Government capping rules.

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourCitizen

CKR, Freckleton says...
11:39am Tue 4 Mar 08

Although it is good news to hear that Kirkham baths is remaining open, i find it difficult to understand the reason why St. Annes pool is closing. The pool could remain open if the council cancelled construction of their new town offices, which are estimated to cost aroung the £7m mark. Aside from this the councillors also received over £2m in christmas bonuses last year. How do they deserve this amount of money, when they are clearly not doing their job correctly if their is such a massive budget shortfall

Report this post »

CKR, Freckleton says...
11:39am Tue 4 Mar 08

Although it is good news to hear that Kirkham baths is remaining open, i find it difficult to understand the reason why St. Annes pool is closing. The pool could remain open if the council cancelled construction of their new town offices, which are estimated to cost aroung the £7m mark. Aside from this the councillors also received over £2m in christmas bonuses last year. How do they deserve this amount of money, when they are clearly not doing their job correctly if their is such a massive budget shortfall

Report this post »

CKR, Freckleton says...
11:39am Tue 4 Mar 08

Although it is good news to hear that Kirkham baths is remaining open, i find it difficult to understand the reason why St. Annes pool is closing. The pool could remain open if the council cancelled construction of their new town offices, which are estimated to cost aroung the £7m mark. Aside from this the councillors also received over £2m in christmas bonuses last year. How do they deserve this amount of money, when they are clearly not doing their job correctly if their is such a massive budget shortfall

Report this post »

CKR, Freckleton says...
11:39am Tue 4 Mar 08

Although it is good news to hear that Kirkham baths is remaining open, i find it difficult to understand the reason why St. Annes pool is closing. The pool could remain open if the council cancelled construction of their new town offices, which are estimated to cost aroung the £7m mark. Aside from this the councillors also received over £2m in christmas bonuses last year. How do they deserve this amount of money, when they are clearly not doing their job correctly if their is such a massive budget shortfall

Report this post »

CKR, Freckleton says...
11:39am Tue 4 Mar 08

Although it is good news to hear that Kirkham baths is remaining open, i find it difficult to understand the reason why St. Annes pool is closing. The pool could remain open if the council cancelled construction of their new town offices, which are estimated to cost aroung the £7m mark. Aside from this the councillors also received over £2m in christmas bonuses last year. How do they deserve this amount of money, when they are clearly not doing their job correctly if their is such a massive budget shortfall

Report this post »

CKR, Freckleton says...
11:39am Tue 4 Mar 08

Although it is good news to hear that Kirkham baths is remaining open, i find it difficult to understand the reason why St. Annes pool is closing. The pool could remain open if the council cancelled construction of their new town offices, which are estimated to cost aroung the £7m mark. Aside from this the councillors also received over £2m in christmas bonuses last year. How do they deserve this amount of money, when they are clearly not doing their job correctly if their is such a massive budget shortfall

Report this post »

CKR, Freckleton says...
11:39am Tue 4 Mar 08

Although it is good news to hear that Kirkham baths is remaining open, i find it difficult to understand the reason why St. Annes pool is closing. The pool could remain open if the council cancelled construction of their new town offices, which are estimated to cost aroung the £7m mark. Aside from this the councillors also received over £2m in christmas bonuses last year. How do they deserve this amount of money, when they are clearly not doing their job correctly if their is such a massive budget shortfall

Report this post »

CKR, Freckleton says...
11:39am Tue 4 Mar 08

Although it is good news to hear that Kirkham baths is remaining open, i find it difficult to understand the reason why St. Annes pool is closing. The pool could remain open if the council cancelled construction of their new town offices, which are estimated to cost aroung the £7m mark. Aside from this the councillors also received over £2m in christmas bonuses last year. How do they deserve this amount of money, when they are clearly not doing their job correctly if their is such a massive budget shortfall

Report this post »

Unhappy, St Annes says...
12:19pm Tue 4 Mar 08

I find it absolutley crazy that a town by the seaside will have nowhere for our children to learn to swim. I also note that the timed closure just happens to be when the school curiculum changes to have swimming not compulsory. As a long time resident of St Annes, Ive seen alot of changes, the square being cramped instead of wide open like it used to be, the planned moves to make the prom all victorian again......what about our kids what are they getting? You already have a town hall!!! What are you playing at with our money?

Report this post »

Unhappy, St Annes says...
12:19pm Tue 4 Mar 08

I find it absolutley crazy that a town by the seaside will have nowhere for our children to learn to swim. I also note that the timed closure just happens to be when the school curiculum changes to have swimming not compulsory. As a long time resident of St Annes, Ive seen alot of changes, the square being cramped instead of wide open like it used to be, the planned moves to make the prom all victorian again......what about our kids what are they getting? You already have a town hall!!! What are you playing at with our money?

Report this post »

Unhappy, St Annes says...
12:19pm Tue 4 Mar 08

I find it absolutley crazy that a town by the seaside will have nowhere for our children to learn to swim. I also note that the timed closure just happens to be when the school curiculum changes to have swimming not compulsory. As a long time resident of St Annes, Ive seen alot of changes, the square being cramped instead of wide open like it used to be, the planned moves to make the prom all victorian again......what about our kids what are they getting? You already have a town hall!!! What are you playing at with our money?

Report this post »

Unhappy, St Annes says...
12:19pm Tue 4 Mar 08

I find it absolutley crazy that a town by the seaside will have nowhere for our children to learn to swim. I also note that the timed closure just happens to be when the school curiculum changes to have swimming not compulsory. As a long time resident of St Annes, Ive seen alot of changes, the square being cramped instead of wide open like it used to be, the planned moves to make the prom all victorian again......what about our kids what are they getting? You already have a town hall!!! What are you playing at with our money?

Report this post »

Unhappy, St Annes says...
12:19pm Tue 4 Mar 08

I find it absolutley crazy that a town by the seaside will have nowhere for our children to learn to swim. I also note that the timed closure just happens to be when the school curiculum changes to have swimming not compulsory. As a long time resident of St Annes, Ive seen alot of changes, the square being cramped instead of wide open like it used to be, the planned moves to make the prom all victorian again......what about our kids what are they getting? You already have a town hall!!! What are you playing at with our money?

Report this post »

Unhappy, St Annes says...
12:19pm Tue 4 Mar 08

I find it absolutley crazy that a town by the seaside will have nowhere for our children to learn to swim. I also note that the timed closure just happens to be when the school curiculum changes to have swimming not compulsory. As a long time resident of St Annes, Ive seen alot of changes, the square being cramped instead of wide open like it used to be, the planned moves to make the prom all victorian again......what about our kids what are they getting? You already have a town hall!!! What are you playing at with our money?

Report this post »

Unhappy, St Annes says...
12:19pm Tue 4 Mar 08

I find it absolutley crazy that a town by the seaside will have nowhere for our children to learn to swim. I also note that the timed closure just happens to be when the school curiculum changes to have swimming not compulsory. As a long time resident of St Annes, Ive seen alot of changes, the square being cramped instead of wide open like it used to be, the planned moves to make the prom all victorian again......what about our kids what are they getting? You already have a town hall!!! What are you playing at with our money?

Report this post »

Unhappy, St Annes says...
12:19pm Tue 4 Mar 08

I find it absolutley crazy that a town by the seaside will have nowhere for our children to learn to swim. I also note that the timed closure just happens to be when the school curiculum changes to have swimming not compulsory. As a long time resident of St Annes, Ive seen alot of changes, the square being cramped instead of wide open like it used to be, the planned moves to make the prom all victorian again......what about our kids what are they getting? You already have a town hall!!! What are you playing at with our money?

Report this post »

Unhappy aswell, St Annes says...
3:05pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Less parks for kids....less activities for kids.....no police after 7.00pm to move them on.......
The faults lie in the administration of the funds available ....the solution is not to rid a town of its few activities to compensate!

Report this post »

Unhappy aswell, St Annes says...
3:05pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Less parks for kids....less activities for kids.....no police after 7.00pm to move them on.......
The faults lie in the administration of the funds available ....the solution is not to rid a town of its few activities to compensate!

Report this post »

Unhappy aswell, St Annes says...
3:05pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Less parks for kids....less activities for kids.....no police after 7.00pm to move them on.......
The faults lie in the administration of the funds available ....the solution is not to rid a town of its few activities to compensate!

Report this post »

Unhappy aswell, St Annes says...
3:05pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Less parks for kids....less activities for kids.....no police after 7.00pm to move them on.......
The faults lie in the administration of the funds available ....the solution is not to rid a town of its few activities to compensate!

Report this post »

Unhappy aswell, St Annes says...
3:05pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Less parks for kids....less activities for kids.....no police after 7.00pm to move them on.......
The faults lie in the administration of the funds available ....the solution is not to rid a town of its few activities to compensate!

Report this post »

Unhappy aswell, St Annes says...
3:05pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Less parks for kids....less activities for kids.....no police after 7.00pm to move them on.......
The faults lie in the administration of the funds available ....the solution is not to rid a town of its few activities to compensate!

Report this post »

Unhappy aswell, St Annes says...
3:05pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Less parks for kids....less activities for kids.....no police after 7.00pm to move them on.......
The faults lie in the administration of the funds available ....the solution is not to rid a town of its few activities to compensate!

Report this post »

Unhappy aswell, St Annes says...
3:05pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Less parks for kids....less activities for kids.....no police after 7.00pm to move them on.......
The faults lie in the administration of the funds available ....the solution is not to rid a town of its few activities to compensate!

Report this post »

Lord Ashton, St Annes says...
4:17pm Tue 4 Mar 08

One word - "maladministration"

Report this post »

Lord Ashton, St Annes says...
4:17pm Tue 4 Mar 08

One word - "maladministration"

Report this post »

Lord Ashton, St Annes says...
4:17pm Tue 4 Mar 08

One word - "maladministration"

Report this post »

Lord Ashton, St Annes says...
4:17pm Tue 4 Mar 08

One word - "maladministration"

Report this post »

Lord Ashton, St Annes says...
4:17pm Tue 4 Mar 08

One word - "maladministration"

Report this post »

Lord Ashton, St Annes says...
4:17pm Tue 4 Mar 08

One word - "maladministration"

Report this post »

Lord Ashton, St Annes says...
4:17pm Tue 4 Mar 08

One word - "maladministration"

Report this post »

Lord Ashton, St Annes says...
4:17pm Tue 4 Mar 08

One word - "maladministration"

Report this post »

Erin, St Annes says...
4:20pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Why should we pay for the council's incompetence. We voted them in and entrusted them, now its for us as the voter to change things!

Report this post »

Erin, St Annes says...
4:20pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Why should we pay for the council's incompetence. We voted them in and entrusted them, now its for us as the voter to change things!

Report this post »

Erin, St Annes says...
4:20pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Why should we pay for the council's incompetence. We voted them in and entrusted them, now its for us as the voter to change things!

Report this post »

Erin, St Annes says...
4:20pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Why should we pay for the council's incompetence. We voted them in and entrusted them, now its for us as the voter to change things!

Report this post »

Erin, St Annes says...
4:20pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Why should we pay for the council's incompetence. We voted them in and entrusted them, now its for us as the voter to change things!

Report this post »

Erin, St Annes says...
4:20pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Why should we pay for the council's incompetence. We voted them in and entrusted them, now its for us as the voter to change things!

Report this post »

Erin, St Annes says...
4:20pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Why should we pay for the council's incompetence. We voted them in and entrusted them, now its for us as the voter to change things!

Report this post »

Erin, St Annes says...
4:20pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Why should we pay for the council's incompetence. We voted them in and entrusted them, now its for us as the voter to change things!

Report this post »

Mark Scowcroft, Kirkham says...
7:28pm Tue 4 Mar 08

What a bitter-sweet result this is! Kirkham has been reprieved for one year but what excuses will the Council give next year for wanting it to be closed? The decision to close St. Annes is disgusting. The councillors sit in their nice offices making these decisions that will affect the young generation for years to come! What happened to the swimming Charter that came into affect in November 2004!!! Where are the children of St. Annes going to go now? The only places are either private hotels or overly priced health clubs and I can't see your average school being to pay for that. It all comes down to councils not being able to manage the money they are given. One last question.. Where does all the council Tax money go to? What have the council given to their communities? Oh yeh... Some large metal railings and stone balls in St. Annes square. Thanks....

Report this post »

Mark Scowcroft, Kirkham says...
7:28pm Tue 4 Mar 08

What a bitter-sweet result this is! Kirkham has been reprieved for one year but what excuses will the Council give next year for wanting it to be closed? The decision to close St. Annes is disgusting. The councillors sit in their nice offices making these decisions that will affect the young generation for years to come! What happened to the swimming Charter that came into affect in November 2004!!! Where are the children of St. Annes going to go now? The only places are either private hotels or overly priced health clubs and I can't see your average school being to pay for that. It all comes down to councils not being able to manage the money they are given. One last question.. Where does all the council Tax money go to? What have the council given to their communities? Oh yeh... Some large metal railings and stone balls in St. Annes square. Thanks....

Report this post »

Mark Scowcroft, Kirkham says...
7:28pm Tue 4 Mar 08

What a bitter-sweet result this is! Kirkham has been reprieved for one year but what excuses will the Council give next year for wanting it to be closed? The decision to close St. Annes is disgusting. The councillors sit in their nice offices making these decisions that will affect the young generation for years to come! What happened to the swimming Charter that came into affect in November 2004!!! Where are the children of St. Annes going to go now? The only places are either private hotels or overly priced health clubs and I can't see your average school being to pay for that. It all comes down to councils not being able to manage the money they are given. One last question.. Where does all the council Tax money go to? What have the council given to their communities? Oh yeh... Some large metal railings and stone balls in St. Annes square. Thanks....

Report this post »

Mark Scowcroft, Kirkham says...
7:28pm Tue 4 Mar 08

What a bitter-sweet result this is! Kirkham has been reprieved for one year but what excuses will the Council give next year for wanting it to be closed? The decision to close St. Annes is disgusting. The councillors sit in their nice offices making these decisions that will affect the young generation for years to come! What happened to the swimming Charter that came into affect in November 2004!!! Where are the children of St. Annes going to go now? The only places are either private hotels or overly priced health clubs and I can't see your average school being to pay for that. It all comes down to councils not being able to manage the money they are given. One last question.. Where does all the council Tax money go to? What have the council given to their communities? Oh yeh... Some large metal railings and stone balls in St. Annes square. Thanks....

Report this post »

Mark Scowcroft, Kirkham says...
7:28pm Tue 4 Mar 08

What a bitter-sweet result this is! Kirkham has been reprieved for one year but what excuses will the Council give next year for wanting it to be closed? The decision to close St. Annes is disgusting. The councillors sit in their nice offices making these decisions that will affect the young generation for years to come! What happened to the swimming Charter that came into affect in November 2004!!! Where are the children of St. Annes going to go now? The only places are either private hotels or overly priced health clubs and I can't see your average school being to pay for that. It all comes down to councils not being able to manage the money they are given. One last question.. Where does all the council Tax money go to? What have the council given to their communities? Oh yeh... Some large metal railings and stone balls in St. Annes square. Thanks....

Report this post »

Mark Scowcroft, Kirkham says...
7:28pm Tue 4 Mar 08

What a bitter-sweet result this is! Kirkham has been reprieved for one year but what excuses will the Council give next year for wanting it to be closed? The decision to close St. Annes is disgusting. The councillors sit in their nice offices making these decisions that will affect the young generation for years to come! What happened to the swimming Charter that came into affect in November 2004!!! Where are the children of St. Annes going to go now? The only places are either private hotels or overly priced health clubs and I can't see your average school being to pay for that. It all comes down to councils not being able to manage the money they are given. One last question.. Where does all the council Tax money go to? What have the council given to their communities? Oh yeh... Some large metal railings and stone balls in St. Annes square. Thanks....

Report this post »

Mark Scowcroft, Kirkham says...
7:28pm Tue 4 Mar 08

What a bitter-sweet result this is! Kirkham has been reprieved for one year but what excuses will the Council give next year for wanting it to be closed? The decision to close St. Annes is disgusting. The councillors sit in their nice offices making these decisions that will affect the young generation for years to come! What happened to the swimming Charter that came into affect in November 2004!!! Where are the children of St. Annes going to go now? The only places are either private hotels or overly priced health clubs and I can't see your average school being to pay for that. It all comes down to councils not being able to manage the money they are given. One last question.. Where does all the council Tax money go to? What have the council given to their communities? Oh yeh... Some large metal railings and stone balls in St. Annes square. Thanks....

Report this post »

Mark Scowcroft, Kirkham says...
7:28pm Tue 4 Mar 08

What a bitter-sweet result this is! Kirkham has been reprieved for one year but what excuses will the Council give next year for wanting it to be closed? The decision to close St. Annes is disgusting. The councillors sit in their nice offices making these decisions that will affect the young generation for years to come! What happened to the swimming Charter that came into affect in November 2004!!! Where are the children of St. Annes going to go now? The only places are either private hotels or overly priced health clubs and I can't see your average school being to pay for that. It all comes down to councils not being able to manage the money they are given. One last question.. Where does all the council Tax money go to? What have the council given to their communities? Oh yeh... Some large metal railings and stone balls in St. Annes square. Thanks....

Report this post »

jmj, st annes says...
10:04pm Tue 4 Mar 08

st annes pool..why hold the council meeting at fylde rugby club, when the lowther theatre is available and many more local citizens could be present to witness this sham

Report this post »

jmj, st annes says...
10:04pm Tue 4 Mar 08

st annes pool..why hold the council meeting at fylde rugby club, when the lowther theatre is available and many more local citizens could be present to witness this sham

Report this post »

jmj, st annes says...
10:04pm Tue 4 Mar 08

st annes pool..why hold the council meeting at fylde rugby club, when the lowther theatre is available and many more local citizens could be present to witness this sham

Report this post »

jmj, st annes says...
10:04pm Tue 4 Mar 08

st annes pool..why hold the council meeting at fylde rugby club, when the lowther theatre is available and many more local citizens could be present to witness this sham

Report this post »

jmj, st annes says...
10:04pm Tue 4 Mar 08

st annes pool..why hold the council meeting at fylde rugby club, when the lowther theatre is available and many more local citizens could be present to witness this sham

Report this post »

jmj, st annes says...
10:04pm Tue 4 Mar 08

st annes pool..why hold the council meeting at fylde rugby club, when the lowther theatre is available and many more local citizens could be present to witness this sham

Report this post »

jmj, st annes says...
10:04pm Tue 4 Mar 08

st annes pool..why hold the council meeting at fylde rugby club, when the lowther theatre is available and many more local citizens could be present to witness this sham

Report this post »

jmj, st annes says...
10:04pm Tue 4 Mar 08

st annes pool..why hold the council meeting at fylde rugby club, when the lowther theatre is available and many more local citizens could be present to witness this sham

Report this post »

curious, st annes says...
10:14pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Has the moving of the transport dept to Poulton made it more efficient, I think not.The money wasted should have gone towards the pool

Report this post »

curious, st annes says...
10:14pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Has the moving of the transport dept to Poulton made it more efficient, I think not.The money wasted should have gone towards the pool

Report this post »

curious, st annes says...
10:14pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Has the moving of the transport dept to Poulton made it more efficient, I think not.The money wasted should have gone towards the pool

Report this post »

curious, st annes says...
10:14pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Has the moving of the transport dept to Poulton made it more efficient, I think not.The money wasted should have gone towards the pool

Report this post »

curious, st annes says...
10:14pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Has the moving of the transport dept to Poulton made it more efficient, I think not.The money wasted should have gone towards the pool

Report this post »

curious, st annes says...
10:14pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Has the moving of the transport dept to Poulton made it more efficient, I think not.The money wasted should have gone towards the pool

Report this post »

curious, st annes says...
10:14pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Has the moving of the transport dept to Poulton made it more efficient, I think not.The money wasted should have gone towards the pool

Report this post »

curious, st annes says...
10:14pm Tue 4 Mar 08

Has the moving of the transport dept to Poulton made it more efficient, I think not.The money wasted should have gone towards the pool

Report this post »

Simon Renwick, Kirkham & Wesham says...
9:03am Wed 5 Mar 08

Who said we got £2m in bonuses. I think that is the most rubbish I've heard this year! That needs explaining.

Report this post »

Simon Renwick, Kirkham & Wesham says...
9:03am Wed 5 Mar 08

Who said we got £2m in bonuses. I think that is the most rubbish I've heard this year! That needs explaining.

Report this post »

Simon Renwick, Kirkham & Wesham says...
9:03am Wed 5 Mar 08

Who said we got £2m in bonuses. I think that is the most rubbish I've heard this year! That needs explaining.

Report this post »

Simon Renwick, Kirkham & Wesham says...
9:03am Wed 5 Mar 08

Who said we got £2m in bonuses. I think that is the most rubbish I've heard this year! That needs explaining.

Report this post »

Simon Renwick, Kirkham & Wesham says...
9:03am Wed 5 Mar 08

Who said we got £2m in bonuses. I think that is the most rubbish I've heard this year! That needs explaining.

Report this post »

Simon Renwick, Kirkham & Wesham says...
9:03am Wed 5 Mar 08

Who said we got £2m in bonuses. I think that is the most rubbish I've heard this year! That needs explaining.

Report this post »

Simon Renwick, Kirkham & Wesham says...
9:03am Wed 5 Mar 08

Who said we got £2m in bonuses. I think that is the most rubbish I've heard this year! That needs explaining.

Report this post »

Simon Renwick, Kirkham & Wesham says...
9:03am Wed 5 Mar 08

Who said we got £2m in bonuses. I think that is the most rubbish I've heard this year! Tha