Eastbourne’s Lib Dem Council Refuses Bid to Keep Pools Open
Conservative councillors at Eastbourne Borough Council have criticised the Liberal Democrat administration's refusal to keep the Sovereign Centre's fun and training pools open while a comprehensive long-term operational plan is developed, leaving the town without these vital community swimming facilities.
During Wednesday’s council meeting, the Conservative opposition proposed that the centre's full swimming provision continues until an alternative plan for operating the centre can be developed. This proposal was rejected, paving the way for the planned closure to proceed.
The closure forms part of the Council's bid to cut £2.7m across various council services in an attempt to balance its budget following increases in demand for homelessness services and financing costs on Eastbourne’s £191 million of debt.
The Sovereign Centre's pools represent a critical recreational resource for local residents, particularly families, schools and people with disabilities who rely on these facilities.
Speaking after the meeting, Sovereign Ward councillor Kshama Shore said ‘The snap decision to close the Sovereign Centre's fun and training pools whilst making no serious attempt at developing an alternative plan is disgraceful and symptomatic of the broader lack of any sort of strategic planning that plagues our council
The Lib Dem’s proposal of giving the Scrutiny Committee two weeks to review this decision is nothing more than a cheap political stunt. The decision to close these pools has been made and a committee with a Lib Dem majority will not change this.
The Sovereign Centre represents more than just a budget line – it's part of the fabric of our town and protecting it should have been a top priority for our Council. It defies belief that the Council have failed to test the market for private investment into the centre or consult with local experts on ways that costs could be reduced. The truth is these closures will reduce income, likely wiping out any savings from these plans.
Opposition Disabilities spokesman Colin Belsey added ‘What we're witnessing is a systematic dismantling of our town that will have long-lasting and deeply harmful consequences.
Most critically, these pools are the most accessible facilities for the disabled in East Sussex, providing vital therapeutic and recreational opportunities that will now be entirely lost. The Sovereign Centre is an irreplaceable resource for some of our most vulnerable residents.
This closure represents a profound loss that goes far beyond financial calculations. We've seen time and again how this administration defaults to closure rather than innovation, how they just manage decline instead of seeking creative solutions.
The Sovereign Centre is just another asset to add to the list of Motcombe Pool, the Bandstand, the Redoubt and so many others that have been neglected, maintenance backlogs allowed to build and ultimately, our residents are left to bear the consequences of this short-sighted decision-making’.
