APPENDIX 28
Memorandum submitted by Lifesavers—The
Royal Life Saving Society UK
A structured approach to the provision of swimming
facilities and associated instructional programmes has seen the
figures for drownings drop from 3,690 per year in England in 1879
to somewhere in the region of 500 per year in recent times.
Provision for swimming and water safety is complex,
there have been and still are many organisations involved in the
provision of facilities, the development of instructional courses
and delivery of awards. To secure future development and secure
the relevance of historical provision there is a clear need for
over-arching locally based strategies. The geographical extent
of such strategies will be determined by local governance, but
will need driving by detailed research into current resources
and matched against the needs of the whole community. The Sport
England facilities planning model offers a reasonable starting
point.
There can be no doubt that historic swimming
pools do currently, and can continue to provide opportunities
for aspects of a local community swimming strategy; life saving
for example can make use of a variety of pool shapes and sizes
for training and competition purposes. The concern must arise
though where historic provision finds it difficult to address
modern day requirements. How easy are these pools to access, for
people with limited mobility, can they meet the needs of a multi-racial
society, do they cater for swimmers with talent and a desire to
progress.
Quite separate, but of fundamental importance,
is the cost of maintaining historic buildings, especially if such
maintenance draws on limited finance available to local authorities
to secure and maintain swimming provision. In a culture of "Best
Value", the costs of supporting outdated historic facilities,
may not be the best way forward. Perhaps taking a broader view
on the value of these buildings, due consideration should be given
to funding from other (possibly heritage) sources, leaving local
authorities greater freedom to invest in appropriate modernisation
and new build.
In summary, we would suggest that historical
facilities do, and can continue, to play a key role in learn to
swim, fitness and water safety initiatives. Closures without adequate
replacement will undoubtedly influence the health and safety of
the local communities these pools serve. We would urge that before
there is any decision to close, re-furbish or build from new,
there is clear and agreed whole community swimming and water safety
strategy.
29 November 2001
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