There are growing concerns over the long-term future of Stroud’s outdoor pool, Stratford Park lido, amid plans for local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire. If a significant upgrade is not secured before the creation of a new unitary council, the pool could face closure as officials grapple with tight budgets.
Stroud District Council has reversed its initial decision not to open the lido this summer, instead committing to essential repairs that will make it safe for public use during the upcoming season. However, while these fixes ensure immediate usability, experts and council leaders stress that a comprehensive modernisation — estimated to cost between £5 million and £10 million — is crucial to securing the lido’s future.
The concerns stem from ongoing structural changes as Gloucestershire moves towards combining district councils and the County Council into one larger entity. Kathy O’Leary, the chief executive of Stroud District Council, addressed the issue during the strategy and resources committee meeting on April 16. She warned that without a full upgrade prior to the reorganisation, the new unitary authority would likely opt to close the lido as a cost-saving measure.
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“We’ve had a very rapid learning process about what the future of councils in this area will look like,” said O’Leary. “Stroud District Council probably won’t exist beyond the next two years. If we only carry out basic repairs now without addressing the full scope of work the lido requires, when we transfer this asset to the new council, the chance of closure to save money is very real — especially since the new council will also face financial challenges.”
The council is already facing financial hurdles. O’Leary highlighted that the upcoming three-year funding settlement is less favorable than expected for Stroud, due in part to the perception of the district as relatively affluent compared to more deprived urban areas. This has resulted in a rebasing of allocation, creating a tough financial outlook.
“By the end of this settlement period, if we want to continue beyond it, we will need to find savings of around £5.1 million annually,” O’Leary explained, putting this into perspective as roughly a 25 percent reduction from the council’s current net annual budget of £21 to £22 million.
Despite a government smoothing settlement designed to ease the financial impact in the first year, O’Leary emphasized the council still faces significant disadvantages and tough decisions ahead.
Expressing a shared commitment to preserving the lido, O’Leary thanked those involved in discussions about its future and underscored the importance of finding a sustainable path forward. At a recent town meeting, various operating models were proposed, including continued council management, leasing to an operator as done in the past, community ownership, or establishing a hybrid partnership.
With time running short before the local government reshuffle, securing the lido’s upgrade is seen as critical to ensuring this cherished community asset remains open for generations to come.