THE future of Wotton Pool hangs in the balance after councillors voted to go forward with plans to stop funding the facility.

At a meeting of Stroud District Council’s cabinet last week members agreed with proposals to hand back control of three of their sports facilities and stop the funding as part of their efficiency savings.

They were keen to stress that it was only a "notice of intent" to terminate their informal agreements to run Wotton Pool, Nailsworth Primary Sports Centre and Vale of Berkeley Sports Centre, however in practice their decision will mean vital funding is stripped from the facilities.

Cllr Keith Pearson, cabinet member in charge of regeneration, said: "There are always alternatives in these situations, we are only talking about handing back control of the facilities, we have never used the word closed.

"This council has a responsibility to use its facilities and resources wisely. I do not believe the services will close when we hand back control. There are always other options."

However Cllr June Cordwell (Wotton-under-Edge), said this was rubber stamping a plan they had already decided upon.

"This was a signed and sealed deal, we knew what the outcome of the decision would be," she said.

"Wotton Pool is very precious to us. There has been no capital funding in Wotton Pool – only promises."

She asked the council to consider its carbon footprint as closure would mean people travelling to Yate or Dursley to swim.

Cllr Pearson said the council had made their decision based on a 250 page document which assessed the cost implications of all seven of their part time sports centres.

The three facilities under threat had some of the highest subsidies per user – apart from Maidenhill Sport and Dance Centre where income and user numbers were considerably higher and usage was anticipated to increase.

Vale of Berkeley Sports Centre had the highest subsidy at £12.22 per user. Cllr Pearson added that if a couple were to go three times a week, the council would be subsiding them over £60 per week. Wotton Pool has a subsidy of £8.43 per user and a yearly running cost of £8,700.

The recommendations must be approved by the full council on February 25. Meetings will then take place with the host facilities to explore ways of keeping them open without funding from the district council.