AN OTLEY councillor is calling on Otley residents to act fast to save the town’s swimming pool.

Chippindale Pool has been earmarked for closure under wider cost-cutting plans by Leeds City Council as it tries to balance its budget, and plug a multi-million pound gap, for the year ahead.

Although not owned by the council the pool, which is based at Prince Henry’s Grammar School, is supported by the local authority. The council says that ending that arrangement would save it £37,000 in 2020-21, plus a further £50,000 in ‘other service areas’.

The school and local politicians, however, have branded the proposal - part of a package of cost-cutting measures that also includes plans to close Leeds Sailing & Activity Centre, at Yeadon - as devastating.

Otley Town Councillor Mick Bradley (Green, Danefield) is now appealing to local residents to get involved while they still can.

He said: “It is good to see people striving to keep the Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre at Yeadon Tarn open.

“Can I also please ask local residents in Otley to spend five minutes completing the consultation by Active Leeds on keeping Chippindale Pool open, as this closes on January 4.

“This is the town’s only swimming pool and it has allowed thousands of local children to learn to swim through school and private lessons. Families and individuals can attend both fun sessions and lane swimming to exercise and enjoy.

“It is clear Prince Henry’s would very much like to retain Chippindale Pool for the use of their students, local primary school pupils and the wider community.

“However, if Leeds City Council withdraws from the Service Level Agreement completely this will be more difficult.”

The survey can be completed at https://active.leeds.gov.uk/home/consultation.

Cllr Bradley added: “Ilkley, which is almost the same size as Otley, has both a pool and Lido. It is important that Leeds City Council realises how many local people wish to keep this community resource.”

Otley’s MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) and ward Councillors including Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) are also vowing to do all they can to keep the pool open.

And the Headteacher of Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Janet Sheriff, has stressed that the school would be exploring ‘every possible option’ to try to keep the facility going. The partnership with the council has enabled the school to keep the pool in use as a community asset since it opened in 1974.