1,000-name petition prompts debate on Church Stretton swimming pool
A petition calling for Church Stretton's swimming pool to be kept open will be presented before Shropshire Council on February 23, it has been revealed.
The petition, which is in support of keeping the threatened swimming pool at Teme Church Stretton Leisure Centre open to all, passed the key 1,000-signature mark in December, the amount needed to trigger a Shropshire Council debate on its fate.
It has now been included on the agenda for the next full council meeting of Shropshire Council at Shrewsbury's Shirehall, which will take place from 10am in the council chamber.
Five minutes has been allotted to outline the case, after which there may be a debate by councillors of up to 15 minutes maximum.
Portfolio holder Stuart West will reply for Shropshire Council and at the end of the debate he will report any further action the council is to take.
Campaigner Denise Cottom said: "We are planning to send one or two people to the full council meeting on February 23 to present the petition."
She said she also hoped the petition would be considered at Shropshire Council's cabinet meeting about the authority's revised leisure strategy for Shropshire on March 1.
Under the authority's current strategy the Church Stretton pool is expected to close to the public.
Campaigners said the ageing leisure centre needs investment, including work on the dehumidifier, the boiler and roof but remains an important asset for the town, used by primary and secondary schools and the general public.
