A delegation from the Fakenham Swimming Pool Action campaign group, (SPA), met with senior councillors and officials to argue the case for a swimming pool in Fakenham.
North Norfolk District Council has asked consultants to review leisure facilities in the area. Earlier this week, its leader told town councillors that Fakenham needed to demonstrate there was a business case for a swimming pool.
Janet Holdom, Richard Crook and Ian Ponton attended the meeting in Cromer at which they presented the findings of over 500 questionnaires the swimming pool campaign group collected in 2014 and argued the case for a fair deal for Fakenham.
As well as SPA members the meeting was attended by North Norfolk council leader Tom Fitzpatrick, its chair of leisure and cultural Services and NAA the consultants employed by the district council to undertake the review and make proposals.
Janet said: “Although we were disappointed not to have the meeting in Fakenham as planned, the discussion that followed was positive and friendly.
“There was a lively exchange of ideas and follow up questions from the questionnaire response and the NNDC members who spoke were, in general terms, supportive.”
The consultants said the questionnaire results reflected a strong body of support. While Norfolk has better “water provision” than the average nationally, this is not spread evenly across the county. Campaigners say there are gaps, including Fakenham.
Richard, who is also chair of Active Fakenham, said: “We have been working hard behind the scenes to make the case for Fakenham and to point out the lack of provision. Both school pools have closed in the last few months.
“There are clear health, well-being and leisure reasons for improving Fakenham’s infrastructure. We are a growing town and this needs to be recognised. This affects all ages and abilities.”
Ian has been talking with local schools. He made clear the importance of giving opportunities to young people and that there is a responsibility which will not now be met by schools to enable students to reach a level of swimming ability by the age of 11.
A report is expected from the consultants in March.
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