It was quite plain that the views of elected members were not valued, and indeed it was implied that the general public and the members were politicising the situation.

We voted for the recommendations put before Council as we were left with no alternative but get on with the tenders for the repairs and prevent any further delays.

But many of our questions remain unanswered.

Why was a Special Council, or indeed a Leaders Advisory Group not called in August?

Knowing the on-going dilapidation of this much-loved but failing building why, once wet rot had been found in the original report was no survey or done between the years 2003 to 2008?

Why are we having a consultation on closure, if we value the importance of this facility and we have no guarantees that the new pool at the Central Leisure Centre will be open in three years' time?

We see a deterioration of residents' health, fitness and well being but especially the ebbing away of some of our young people's Olympic aspirations.

Cllr Simon Spencer put the blame for all the lack of decent facilities in Matlock at the door of the past Liberal and Labour Council for putting Wirksworth before Matlock.

In fact Wirksworth Learner Pool was built by the Community and the Leisure Centre was a pioneer Partnership. The then Lib.Dem/Labour-led council continued the work already in progress on the Bakewell ABC and their Swimming Pool Project. We put the bid in for the Matlock Parks.

If we had been re-elected as the council administration Matlock would have been regenerated by now, we weren't and attention was turned to Ashbourne. We have a record of putting the Derbyshire Dales and the wellbeing of its communities as a whole first.

The council was full to overflowing on Thursday by good people, young and old with volunteers that give many hours of their time, they deserve to be listened too better.

What is now needed is firm strong leadership not party politics and an assurance that the work will be done, the Lido will be re opened and remain open until the new pool is up and running.

Cllr Irene Ratcliffe
on behalf of the Labour Group at
Derbyshire Dales District
Council.