After about an hour of propaganda from the consultants and the council officers the City Executive Board (CEB) unanimously decided to close Temple Cowley Pools and sell off the site.  This is a sad day for Oxford and I feel hugely sorry for the Save Temple Cowley Pools group, particularly Nigel and Jane, who have worked so hard and with such sincerity to try to save the pools.  I was particularly disgusted at the way at least one member of CEB sat and scowled at those making such well-considered and serious points.  I also didn’t think it was very polite of the member who arrived late to clomp through the room in extremely loud shoes not once but three times while a member of the public was trying to address CEB.

I also note here that Cllr Malik, councillor for Cowley Marsh,gave apologies and was absent from the meeting.  What a shame there was nobody at the meeting to represent those who have Temple Cowley Pools at the heart of their ward.

The only good thing is that Stephen Brown (leader of our group) immediately called in the decision to the Value and Performance Scrutiny Committee of which he is chair. I don’t think it will change anything but it will at least give the CEB members some time to reflect on the gravity of their decision and the disastrous impact it will have on Temple Cowley and the surrounding area’s residents.