Southwell Town Council chairman will call extraordinary meeting to discuss Newark and Sherwood District Council’s swimming pool plans in order to prevent delays

A council chairman has assured residents he will call an extraordinary meeting to prevent delay to plans for a new pool.

Southwell Town Council chairman Martin Stott said: “As soon as [Newark and Sherwood District Council] have something to say or request of the town council I will call members to an extraordinary meeting so there are no delays with this plan.”

His assurance was made in response to a question from a member of the public, who queried if anything could be done to ensure residents had access to a pool in the town in the meantime.

Newark and Sherwood District Council announced plans to build a new £5.5m swimming complex in the town in December, to replace the existing leisure centre pool which the council confirmed would not re-open after a serious leak was discovered.

The member of the public said: “I wonder whether something could be done in the interim.

“I’m not suggesting the £600,000 repair, that is a waste of money — but I heard something about lining the pipes.”

He explained he was worried about residents missing out on swimming while the new pool was built, and said it was ‘unlikely’ it would be finished in the planned two year time frame.

Jeremy Berridge, who is a current trustee of the leisure centre, said lining the pipes had been explored but was not possible.

Mr Stott explained he had asked the district council to attend one of the town council’s meetings to present information about the plans, but that it had yet to take up the offer.

Peter Harris added: “I’m disappointed that the district council hasn’t communicated with us formally or informally.

“They haven’t really been clear about the plans.”

John Lightwood suggested the council was looking into the issue a “bit early” and they should wait until the district council had more information.