Item 13: Unlucky for Kirkham?

The future of Kirkham Baths is back on the agenda at Fylde Council this Monday. But behind the headlines and council paperwork lies a serious concern: are we once again on the verge of losing this community asset for good?

Let me explain what’s happened—and why I’ve stepped in.

What Was Agreed by the Executive Committee?

On 17th March, the Council’s Executive Committee made six recommendations about the Kirkham Pool site. It was, at the time, a promising list.

Here’s what they proposed:

1. £75,000 per year for security and monitoring while the building remains empty

2. A £150,000 capital allocation to fund urgent holding and preservation works

3. A plan to transfer the building to Council ownership

4. A commitment to conduct a detailed condition survey immediately after transfer

5. A pledge to explore funding options to refurbish the building

6. A review of timelines and end-use, ensuring the site isn’t left in limbo

These recommendations suggested a council finally preparing to act.

What’s Now Missing?

When the agenda for Full Council was published, only two of the six recommendations remained:

• The £75,000 annual budget

• The £150,000 capital fund

Everything else—ownership transfer, funding options, timelines—vanished.

What was shaping up to be a responsible, strategic plan now reads more like a holding pattern. No commitment to act. No clarity about the future. Just money to keep the building empty, monitored, and locked away.

And that’s not good enough.

What I’m Doing About It

I’ve submitted a formal question to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Karen Buckley, which she must answer before Item 13 is discussed on Monday evening. Here’s what I’ve asked:

Given the time required to prepare and submit a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, which may not be successful, and the risk that a future Unitary Authority could abandon refurbishment plans if works haven’t started—

Will the Leader confirm, yes or no, whether she will add a third recommendation to Item 13:

“That Fylde Council borrows the monies needed to commence and complete the refurbishment of Kirkham Baths and bring them back into full use in order that residents of rural Fylde can once again have access to public swimming provision”?

Why am I doing this?

Because delays and indecision have already cost us too much. The longer we wait, the more the building deteriorates—and the more expensive it becomes to repair. A facility that once served generations of residents is now a shell, abandoned due to political inaction.

What Might Be Going On?

Some have suggested that the sudden removal of the other four recommendations was a strategic move. There’s a possibility the Conservatives planned to reintroduce the “funding” idea later in the meeting to claim credit for saving the Baths.

If that’s the case—I’ve got in first. The question has been submitted. It’s public. And it demands a clear answer. There will be no room for vague promises or last-minute theatrics.

If this Council is serious about saving Kirkham Baths, the time to act is now.

What’s at Stake

Kirkham Baths is more than just a building. It’s about:

• Access to public swimming for families, schools, and vulnerable residents

• Restoring a vital community asset after years of political neglect

• Protecting rural provision in an area too often forgotten in council debates

And with local government reorganisation on the horizon, the risks are even greater. A new Unitary Authority might not see the value in funding a rural pool. If we haven’t started the refurbishment by the time they take over, we could lose the facility forever.

My Position Is Clear

I will always push for direct action—not excuses. I want a funded, deliverable plan to get Kirkham Baths reopened and protected for the long term. No more kicking the can down the road.

That’s why I’ve asked the question. And I’ll share the answer with you after Monday’s meeting.

Have Your Say

If you care about the future of Kirkham Baths, speak up.

📧 Email me your views at petercollins4568@aol.com

🗳️ And on May 1st, vote for someone who will fight for our community—not party politics.

Vote Peter Collins – Independent for Fylde East