Swimming association makes a splash about asset transfer

The amateur swimming association has waded into the debate about community asset transfer – producing a guide to help councils transfer pool ownership to communities instead of closing them down.

The guide, produced in conjunction with the Asset Transfer Unit at the Development Trusts Association (DTA), looks at success stories to date and offers advice about how best to establish a suitable community organisation to manage a pool.

Head of assets and investment for the DTA High Rolo said: 'There are many reasons for a local authority to want to close a swimming pool. Often, the main reason is the cost of running the pool, or it could be that the pool is small and lacks the flexibility to programme for a wide range of uses. Both of these [reasons] can be tackled by transferring the facility into the ownership of a community enterprise.

'The economic, social and environmental returns that asset transfer can unlock ought to be taken into consideration by local authorities in the light of the good practice taking place across the country.'

Among the success stories in the guide is the Lenton Centre Swimming Pool in Nottingham, which was closed by the city council in 2004 but is now a successfully run community enterprise and development trust. This year alone the centre has seen more than 3,000 children learn to swim.