Afan Lido task and finish group expected to announce recommendations by the end of this month
THE future of Port Talbot's long-awaited new Afan Lido should finally become clear by the end of this month.
It's now been more than three years since a devastating fire left Aberavon Beach without its biggest indoor attraction.
A "task and finish" group of councillors was set up last year to make recommendations on its replacement after Neath Port Talbot failed to reach agreement with campaigners over critical details for the replacement.
One was the location, with Neath Port Talbot wanting the new Lido built on neighbouring Hollywood Park, while residents demanded it should go up on its original site.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
Another was the size of the pool, with the council proposing six lanes but campaigners insisting on eight.
Since September the task and finish group has been hearing evidence from campaigners, local groups, council officers and experts on different issues.
Originally the group was expected to bring recommendations forward by the end of October, though that was not set in stone.
That was later revised, and those recommendations were then expected before Christmas.
Now, though, the group is finally getting ready to finish the task. Chairman Anthony Taylor said: "We are almost there.
"We are looking at the budget again to make sure that our recommendations are on a sound financial basis.
"There should be a meeting next week where we will agree our recommendations, then another to agree the wording of our report, which will go into more detail.
"We are hoping that by the end of January at the latest we will be ready to go."
Once the recommendations are finalised they will go before a cabinet scrutiny for discussion, then to cabinet for decision.
Mr Taylor said: "It has taken some time to get to this stage but we want to make sure that we are making what we think are the correct recommendations.
"Time is getting on. It's important we get it right, so we needed to ensure we had all the necessary information."
Comments
by RichardCorso
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 9:59AM
“"THE future of Port Talbot's long-awaited new Afan Lido should finally become clear by the end of this month"............ and pigs will fly.
Something for the NPT Council to consider;
1 - Construction jobs created for the new Afan Lido
2 - Operating jobs for the new Afan Lido
3 - The health benefits for the local residents
4 - Another badly needs leisure attraction for the further development of the Aberavon Seafront.
5 - Lets hope this new sports facility stops the further development creep of elderly residential care home build that's taking over Aberavon Seafront which is rapidly being called the "Departure Lounge".
6 -The new Afan Lido should be the start of the redevelopment not the end. The derelict buildings (the Chinese restaurant The Water Margin and the short run Burger Drive Thru) and the never used new building that was constructed for the never delivered Bowling Rink. While we are on the derelict theme - what's happening to the ex Council yards that was cleared for the never delivered Farm Foods development ??
7 - Port Talbot needs MORE facilities for today's youth preferably facilities that can be used all year round. These can be for sports, gaming and entertainment. There's NOTHING available that meets their needs.
Come on NPT Council- you charge one of the highest Council Tax rates in the country and provide next to nothing in sports/leisure services to your residents- wake up and pull your finger out.”