08/06/2026
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The Mayor of Stroud, Cllr Tony Davey, writes a weekly blog published on his page and in the Stroud News & Journal.
This week he writes ๐๐ผ
Another busy week and the lido has once again been a hot topic. On Wednesday 3rd June, the District Council voted to invest an additional ยฃ276,000, on top of the ยฃ200,000 already committed, to reopen it. This funding is not just for basic repairs. It also includes improvements to the pool and surrounding areas, which should help prevent the kinds of issues that affected the 2026 season. It will also address health and safety concerns, some new and others that have existed for some time but were only temporarily managed.
Iโve been asked many times in recent weeks why the Town Council is not taking over the lido ahead of Local Government Reorganisation, and whether we have asked to do so. On 27th April, we passed an important motion calling on the Town Council to prioritise discussions with the District Council about transferring ownership of the lido to the Town Council or to another suitable organisation. So yes, that message has been transmitted. If youโre interested, you can read the motions themselves on the โโLido Updatesโโ section of Stroud Town Councilโs website.
We also passed a motion requesting that the District Council provides enough staff and funding to support any transfer, and to make sure all necessary repair work is completed first. This is important. Any organisation taking over such a facility would expect to do so with it viable and without it bankrupting them.
I have a meeting next month with the District Councilโs Chief Executive and its Political Leader to explore what might be possible, but itโs a complex issue. Facilities like the Lido are usually better funded at a District or Unitary level, as they are used by people from a wide area, not just the town itself. This means neighbouring communities would also need to contribute, and that requires cooperation between councils.
Under the terms of reference of the District Councilโs Lido Working Group, I am not permitted to discuss its progress; we rely on the District Council to provide updates. However, I can say that two community groups, along with the Town Council, are working with them to help shape a positive future for the lido -- one that can grow and adapt over time.
As for ownership, that ultimately sits with the District Council as the current custodians. While we can negotiate and advise, we cannot force its transfer to us nor anyone. The motions passed at our Town Meeting express the views of residents and were supported by most Town Councillors, but they are not legally binding. So far, the District Council has not set out its plans for the lido beyond October 2026. This information is essential for creating a strong business plan and for any future fundraising initiatives.
The lido is not an isolated nor unique case. Similar conversations are happening in other parts of the country where Local Government Reorganisation is prompting questions about how best to secure community facilities for the future. It is not a case of โselling off the family silverโ, but about protecting these assets for community use. In Stroud there are multiple assets in addition to the lido that need to be secured for the future. At Stroud Town Council, we have a good history achieving this, with the Sub Rooms and the excellent work of their Trust being a shining example.
Time is not on our side. We have a small window, possibly only until April 2027, when elections for a new Unitary Authority will take place, to begin any transfer process. Transfers do not have to be completed by then, but they do need to be properly underway.
In the end, decisions will rest with elected councillors. District Councillors will vote for what they are willing to transfer, and Town Councillors will vote for what we can realistically afford to take on and manage. Taking on new facilities brings additional costs and responsibilities, and these assets are unlikely to generate profit.
So, difficult decisions will need to be made โ something I have been clear on since this process began. It is unrealistic to expect everything to stay exactly as it is, but it is equally unlikely that the outcome will be negative overall. Some transfers will almost certainly be initiated by the new Unitary Authority, if needed. Ownership of assets does not rest solely on discussions with the current District Council.
