Southern Pool: Commissioners agree to rate rise hoped to save the pool

Those not already charging highest possible rate will look to do so 

The Island’s southern commissioners will look to support a rise in rates to help keep the Southern Swimming Pool open.

It’s after an emergency meeting between all the southern MHKs, local authorities and the pool’s board last night (Thursday 18 January).

Those who currently don’t charge the highest possible rate (6.1p in the pound) will look to do so in the next financial year.

Rushen MHK, Juan Watterson, who came up with the proposal, believes this will generate enough income to plug the current funding gap suggested by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture.

The rise will mean the pool can continue on a “make do and mend” basis, with no additional revenue or capital funding.

The rates increase will provide 15% of the Southern pool’s funding, whereas they only provide 8% of the Northern and Western pools.

However, it’s accepted that this plan won’t work in the event of a major plant failure or significant unforeseen expenditure.

It’s also on the understanding that the plans for the new Castle Rushen High School definitely include a pool, as that has never been officially confirmed and doesn’t explicitly feature in current plans.

It also stresses that this is a short term plan, and highlights the unfairness of the current structure, where residents in the East don’t pay towards a pool as the NSC is entirely DESC funded.

It’s thought an extra £500,000 could be generated annually from an “All Island Leisure Rate”, where all Manx residents paid towards their pools.

The proposal’s been put together after a joint report from the departments of Infrastructure and Education, Sport and Culture claimed there was “no scenario” that could save the Southern Pool.

In a post on Facebook, Rushen MHK Michelle Heywood claims the commissioners were critical of the report, which doesn't evaluate the impact of the closure on school swimming lessons, after school swimming lessons, the Southern swimming club or anyone else who uses the pool.

She claims there was "incredulity" that these costs had not been estimated as part of the proposal.

While the local authorities not already charging the 6p rate have agreed to do so in principle, it will still need to be officially agreed to by their respective Boards.

The proposal will now be presented to the education and treasury ministers, who will review the plan and make a decision on the pool’s immediate future.