4 December 2008

Despite the long campaign that compelled the City Council to give a commitment to rebuild the baths, questions still remain as to when the rebuilding is likely to start and whether the money is available to pay for the work.

I know that many people are working on this issue and it is important that we all keep the pressure on in our own ways. To this end I recently met with the Chair of the Edgbaston Constituency Committee, Councillor Deirdre Alden. The committee is responsible for the delivery of Council services in our area. Whilst Cllr Alden made it clear that the constituency committee has little say over the baths project she was able to give me some useful information - namely that the final decision as to whether a new swimming baths will be built rests with members of the Council’s Cabinet. I have since found out that the Council Cabinet will be deciding whether or not to go ahead with a new swimming baths at a meeting on 15 December.

This means we have a short window in which to lobby members of the Council Cabinet.

Many hundreds of you have already signed my petition and that of the Harborne Society but I’m afraid I must ask you to sign again to ensure the cabinet knows that residents here continue to be serious about their wish for a new pool.

I will be presenting the petition to the Cabinet on behalf of local residents calling upon them to keep their promise to rebuild the baths and set out a proper timetable for the work.

Please take a few moments to add your name to the petition here.

Together, we can ensure that Harborne gets the modern swimming baths it so desperately needs.