Pooling resources to keep baths afloat

SUPPORT . . . for Crompton Pool

Shaw & Crompton Parish Council
SHAW and Crompton parish councillors will write to Oldham Council demanding to know if they can take control of Crompton Pool.

They vowed to write to chief executive Charlie Parker to find out what is required to complete a transfer of the baths — which is to be closed in favour of two new sports centres in Oldham and Royton — and whether a precept would be needed from locals to maintain the building.

Residents are adamant that a community takeover, rather than a parish council one, would have better results, following a 3,000 strong petition showing huge support for retaining the pool.

Parish councillor Mike Dodd said: “We want to make it clear that the parish council wants to initiate discussions and take it further. But we can’t do that until we get the information we need from Oldham Council.”

Fellow parish councillor David Dunning said: “We have got the option of asking Oldham Council what their ideas are to put forward to us so we can either take over the pool, or they can at least give us some idea of costings. They are not throwing that building away for no reason.”

Local resident Joanne Lewis-Ryan claims that if the community were given chance to work with the council, the pool could be saved.

She said: “I’m a swimmer and I also take a disabled group to the pool every week. We can’t lose that pool. I’ve visited other pools that have been at risk and residents have been able to work together to keep them open.”


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