“IT’s the worst survey I’ve ever seen with loaded and leading questions,” Rhian Cowen said of the council budget consultation that prompted her to start campaigning to ‘Save Pembroke Pool’.

But she added: “If you haven’t already filled out the survey please do. Loaded and nauseating as the questions are, they will be debating the issues in February 2025 so it’s really important we let them know how we feel.”

The Pembrokeshire County Council survey consists of over 80 suggestions on how to save money. Number 49 of these reads:

“Close Pembroke swimming pool but keep dry side facilities at the site open. The impact is swimming customers including schools having to use other centres eg Milford Haven Leisure Centre. Estimated saving: £179,000”

For each proposal, the survey presents two options: ‘A = Take the saving option’ and ‘B = Increase Council Tax to avoid the need for this saving.’

Local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has encouraged residents to have their say through the consultation, saying: “Learning to swim is so important, especially in a coastal county, as is keeping fit.”

A petition to the Senedd, submitted on December 13, was rejected however, on the grounds that it is something that Welsh Government is not responsible for, and that Pembrokeshire County Council has its own petitions system.

Nevertheless, the wording of the petition, ‘Improve don’t Remove’ states the case for the pool’s supporters:

“Pembroke Pool has served generations through children’s parties, lifesaving lessons and diverse activities including swimming, aqua-fit, kayaking, and scuba diving. Adjacent to two schools with ample parking, it remains popular despite ageing facilities.”

The pool has been home to Pembroke and District Swimming Club for 50 years of teaching, coaching and uniting people. It is also the training base for Pembroke Octopush Club, which flies the flag nationally and internationally.

“The pool is always busy and in fact deserves some of that levelling up money that seems to be going everywhere,” said Rhian. She told the new ‘Save Pembroke Pool’ Facebook group she’s “dumbstruck” at the Council’s proposal to close the pool as its “benefits to the wider community are so far reaching.”

The blossoming community grew to 930 members in just 48 hours. It now has over 1,000 members and is still growing, with residents and pool users giving voice to their concerns:

“We live in an area surrounded by water on three sides, our kids need to learn to swim if they have any chance of survival in the sea, it’s imperative that this pool be kept open.”

“I love Pembroke Pool. I love how friendly it is there, I love the sunshine that comes in the windows whilst you swim, and I have used it twice weekly for the last 10 years. The last eight years have been for vital physio for my spine.”

“My own four children all learnt to swim there, and my eldest grandson had his ninth birthday party as a pool party up there. I’d go to the ladies-only swimming sessions with my late mum well into her 80s.”

“Schools use it, families use it, and we are too far from other pools without sufficient public transport to make it feasible to use the other pools. It is also vital not to close down things that keep people and communities healthy.”

“The pool won’t close, this is just another “pink unicorn” from PembrokeshireCountyCouncil to say “Well to keep the pool open, we’ll have to raise your council tax by xx%”. While still paying themselves exorbitant bonuses.”

A suggestion was made to add a café to the facility, which could provide an added income stream.

Town and County Councillors were invited to attend a midday public meeting in the Dance Studio at Pembroke Leisure Centre on Saturday, December 21.

In advance of the meeting, County Councillor and swimming club member Joshua Beynon said he appreciates the importance of such facilities to the community - as a leisure resource and for health and wellbeing.

He described the current consultation as an exercise to present all potential options given the significant financial challenges the council faces. The options are categorised to show the relative impact of cuts, but they do not represent final decisions.

“I also want to make it clear that I do not support the closure of Pembroke Swimming Pool,” the councillor said. “I believe strongly in the need to explore solutions that preserve vital services while addressing our financial responsibilities.

“It is also important to note that the decision on the budget will be made by all councillors, as every single councillor gets a vote.”

“Your input is a crucial part of shaping the final decisions,” he added.

On December 16, County Councillor Rhys Jordan went so far as to state with certainty that the pool is not closing. He told Save Pembroke Pool:

“While officers across all departments have been tasked with finding 10 per cent savings, the suggestion to close Pembroke Pool is just that - a suggestion. It will not happen.

“Pembroke Pool has recently benefited from funding for improvements, and there are long-term plans to refurbish both Pembroke and Tenby pools. Our leisure centres are the heart of our communities, and the swimming pools are vital for the ‘Learn to Swim’ schools programme, which Pembrokeshire County Council is legally required to provide.”

In response, Rhian expressed her thanks but added that it doesn’t explain why Pembroke Pool was specifically mentioned in the survey. “We now need more than verbal assurances,” she said. “This will have caused incredible stress to the staff who work there as well as the community Pembroke Pool serves.”

The councillor replied: “Last year, Tenby, Milford, and Pembroke were all suggested for closure. Tenby is no longer listed because, as a trust pool, PCC would require over 50 per cent public backing to close it. Why Milford has been excluded and Pembroke included this year is a question for the head of leisure.

“Let me be absolutely clear: Pembroke Pool is safe. Staff with concerns should speak to their head of service or union for support, but please take this as both a verbal and written commitment that this pool will remain open.”

When asked what happens if the council fails to find the 10 per cent, Cllr Jordan said that the most likely solution is a small increase in membership fees and a 5 per cent rise in pay-as-you-go charges. With around 10,000 members, this approach would help achieve the necessary savings while keeping leisure services running and accessible.

“I, along with my fellow councillor colleagues, want to reassure you that closures are not on the agenda. We are all committed to protecting these vital facilities for our communities.”

Alongside wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year, Cllr Jordan gave further reassurances: “I will always fight for our leisure services in County Hall. They are essential for health, well-being, and the future of our children. Please rest assured that Pembroke Pool is safe—not just next year, but for many years to come.”

The closing date for completed responses to the Pembrokeshire County Council Budget Consultation is January 5, 2025. The survey can be found at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/have-your-say/budget-consultation-2025-26 .