21/06/17
Message from Cllr. Gary Hopkins:
"Firstly, thank you to the over 6,000 people who have signed the petition calling for the continued opening of jubilee pool and all those individuals and businesses that have helped us to collect the signatures. The administration of this from the council has been a classic illustration of how not to do things from start to finish. The decision to close the pool was taken by the Mayor and Labour Councillors in the February budget meeting despite there being no local information made available and what was in the council list of measures saying that it was elimination of the subsidy to the operator that was sought and not closure. In reply to my later question the mayor said that the closure decision was a "mistake" despite the fact that it was backed up with a 4 page "equalities impact assessment" that said that jubilee was inadequate for disabled users. This was one of the shabbiest hatchet jobs I have seen in 15 years on the council and the inaccuracy and unfairness of this has been backed by lawyers and disabled users of the pool.
As a result of the signatures there will be a debate about the pool on 27th June at a full Bristol city council meeting starting at 6.00.
Campaigners will be speaking and asking questions of the mayor and there will be a response from all political parties. I am encouraging all those who are interested to join in.
Statements (last submission 12pm on 26th June) and written questions (at least 6 working days in advance) should be submitted to democratic.services@http://Bristol.gov.uk and residents may speak to their statements and ask supplementary questions if they turn up.
The mayor has appeared to concede on this matter BUT no new contract has been agreed or signed despite the operators agreeing over 2 months ago to all council requests. The result of what we hope is just pathetic red tape rather than duplicity, is that the council continues to spend over 5000 a month but are preventing marketing to increase usage.
This is a vital facility for so many people in our community that nothing can be left to chance.If you want more information please contact me but please let the council know your views.
Message from Cllr. Gary Hopkins:
"Firstly, thank you to the over 6,000 people who have signed the petition calling for the continued opening of jubilee pool and all those individuals and businesses that have helped us to collect the signatures. The administration of this from the council has been a classic illustration of how not to do things from start to finish. The decision to close the pool was taken by the Mayor and Labour Councillors in the February budget meeting despite there being no local information made available and what was in the council list of measures saying that it was elimination of the subsidy to the operator that was sought and not closure. In reply to my later question the mayor said that the closure decision was a "mistake" despite the fact that it was backed up with a 4 page "equalities impact assessment" that said that jubilee was inadequate for disabled users. This was one of the shabbiest hatchet jobs I have seen in 15 years on the council and the inaccuracy and unfairness of this has been backed by lawyers and disabled users of the pool.
As a result of the signatures there will be a debate about the pool on 27th June at a full Bristol city council meeting starting at 6.00.
Campaigners will be speaking and asking questions of the mayor and there will be a response from all political parties. I am encouraging all those who are interested to join in.
Statements (last submission 12pm on 26th June) and written questions (at least 6 working days in advance) should be submitted to democratic.services@http://Bristol.gov.uk and residents may speak to their statements and ask supplementary questions if they turn up.
The mayor has appeared to concede on this matter BUT no new contract has been agreed or signed despite the operators agreeing over 2 months ago to all council requests. The result of what we hope is just pathetic red tape rather than duplicity, is that the council continues to spend over 5000 a month but are preventing marketing to increase usage.
This is a vital facility for so many people in our community that nothing can be left to chance.If you want more information please contact me but please let the council know your views.
14/06/17
Message from the Save Jubilee Pool group:
"Supporters, Members, and Swimmers:
We’re sure you’ve seen some of the statements flying around confirming that Parkwood Leisure has renegotiated a new 5 year contract with the pool – it will remain open.
This is all thanks to you. Your support, your ongoing visits to the pool, your optimism and signatures have contributed to this fantastic result. It’s brilliant that this much loved community space, so essential to South Bristol’s happiness, success, and self-esteem, will stay open.
But questions still need to be asked of the council – there should never have been any doubt that it would stay open – and we need to know why it ever got to this stage - let us not forget, in February, the council were fully behind its closure. We also want to know what the council’s plans are for investment in the building, and swimming for all. We will be asking all these questions, and more, on June 27th at City Hall for the full Bristol City Council debate.
So – the battle may be won, but the war isn’t over. We aren’t sure what the future will be for the pool in another five years. Without wishing to be cynical, it won’t be a surprise if we find ourselves here again.
So don’t go away. If you love the pool, use it. Keep swimming, and keep following this page.
If you wish to come and support us at the Council Debate on June 27th, the debate is open to ALL – you don’t need to speak, you can simply listen and find out exactly what the council has to say for itself. It starts at 6pm, so aim to get to City Hall for 5.40.
Thank you again for being such a wonderful community. People power can win!
Friends of Jubilee Pool, Knowle
PS - Please share this post as widely as you can."
Message from the Save Jubilee Pool group:
"Supporters, Members, and Swimmers:
We’re sure you’ve seen some of the statements flying around confirming that Parkwood Leisure has renegotiated a new 5 year contract with the pool – it will remain open.
This is all thanks to you. Your support, your ongoing visits to the pool, your optimism and signatures have contributed to this fantastic result. It’s brilliant that this much loved community space, so essential to South Bristol’s happiness, success, and self-esteem, will stay open.
But questions still need to be asked of the council – there should never have been any doubt that it would stay open – and we need to know why it ever got to this stage - let us not forget, in February, the council were fully behind its closure. We also want to know what the council’s plans are for investment in the building, and swimming for all. We will be asking all these questions, and more, on June 27th at City Hall for the full Bristol City Council debate.
So – the battle may be won, but the war isn’t over. We aren’t sure what the future will be for the pool in another five years. Without wishing to be cynical, it won’t be a surprise if we find ourselves here again.
So don’t go away. If you love the pool, use it. Keep swimming, and keep following this page.
If you wish to come and support us at the Council Debate on June 27th, the debate is open to ALL – you don’t need to speak, you can simply listen and find out exactly what the council has to say for itself. It starts at 6pm, so aim to get to City Hall for 5.40.
Thank you again for being such a wonderful community. People power can win!
Friends of Jubilee Pool, Knowle
PS - Please share this post as widely as you can."
22/03/17
Message from Cllr Gary Hopkins, Lib Dem (Knowle):
"First of all a huge thank you to everyone who has signed the petition. We have reached our first objective of getting 3,500 signatures to force a debate at Bristol council which will take place in June.. We have already had a result with the mayor now describing, in answer to questions, the decision to close the pool a mistake. The council now seeks a deal to keep it open and we are confident that will now happen as the energetic campaign has already increased trade and membership at the pool.
Although we have secured the debate please keep promoting this site as every extra person is a help and will give more confidence to the operator.
We aim to be active in developing the long term sustainable future for the pool so if you can help in any way please contact.........
We will continue to update you all on developments."
Message from Cllr Gary Hopkins, Lib Dem (Knowle):
"First of all a huge thank you to everyone who has signed the petition. We have reached our first objective of getting 3,500 signatures to force a debate at Bristol council which will take place in June.. We have already had a result with the mayor now describing, in answer to questions, the decision to close the pool a mistake. The council now seeks a deal to keep it open and we are confident that will now happen as the energetic campaign has already increased trade and membership at the pool.
Although we have secured the debate please keep promoting this site as every extra person is a help and will give more confidence to the operator.
We aim to be active in developing the long term sustainable future for the pool so if you can help in any way please contact.........
We will continue to update you all on developments."
18/02/17
Thank you to everyone who came along to the protest on Saturday 18 February. We had well over 150 people in attendance, along with the Bristol Post and BBC and ITV camera crews. With such large numbers of local people making their feelings known, and plenty of media coverage, we stand a really good chance of keeping our pool open. However, the petition is key to our success. We need to get 3,500 names to force a council debate on the issue. Please make sure you sign the petition, if you haven't already, and share this website with your family and friends. Together we can #SaveJubileePool.
Thank you to everyone who came along to the protest on Saturday 18 February. We had well over 150 people in attendance, along with the Bristol Post and BBC and ITV camera crews. With such large numbers of local people making their feelings known, and plenty of media coverage, we stand a really good chance of keeping our pool open. However, the petition is key to our success. We need to get 3,500 names to force a council debate on the issue. Please make sure you sign the petition, if you haven't already, and share this website with your family and friends. Together we can #SaveJubileePool.
Your local Lib Dem team.