Are you aware that it takes just 10 seconds to drown a child ? Also that most drownings occur within 10 metres of safety ? Yet you are recommended to deny that child the skills to survive - do you feel good about that ?

Members of this Council pledged in May last year to carry out the wishes of the electorate - and within six months Aquasplash and all the good things that went on in there was closed down without debate or recourse to Council. Is this the way you repay our trust ?

(audience) Do we want Aquasplash re-opened ? Anyone against ? (how about those outside ?)

(children stand up) These and their friends are the ones you have to apologise to, not me.

Figures can prove anything - for example page 4 of your Report tells us that Aquasplash will increase everyone's Council Tax bill by 16%. It won't of course, the true figure is about 2% - but typical of the spin within this Report. Figures can prove anything - are you really about to put your name to this inaccurate, biased and incomplete report ?

I made suggestions to every member of Cabinet last December showing how we might cut the costs of Aquasplash dramatically; why wasn't this followed up ?

Why wasn't the Somerset County Council team asked to provide figures for an alternative way of working ? Other organisations might have been contacted to operate Aquasplash, yet despite repeated prompting, the alternatives were not investigated.

When we swim at Wellington or Taunton Pools we are swamped by inviting adverts. Council agreed a marketing plan in December 2006, when did you last see any advert for Aquasplash ?

Members who have done some further research will now be aware that we simply haven't moved with the times. Our neighbours in Taunton Deane have used one of several companies that promotes and operates swimming pools - and saves them money at the same time - isn't that just what we want ?

Why haven't these companies, already set up as Trusts and with the Charitable status we need to reduce the rates, been approached ? How does little Crewkerne manage to operate a swimming pool - not to mention many other small towns in Cornwall and Devon ? It can be done.

The pool was closed to investigate possible subsidence on Health and Safety Grounds on 14th October last. According to your December report, structural engineers attended within a week and it would have been known verbally, if not in writing, that the Health and Safety issues were unfounded and the pool was safe and secure. (it was subsequently discovered that the Report was dated 22nd October)

Someone then made the decision to flout your own Service Standards and failed to take steps to reopen our pool and fitness centre. Who was that person ?

Why wasn't a matter as important as this, with major financial implications, not to mention the effect on the electorate - reported to Council ? Why wasn't a Special Meeting called last October when the basic facts were known to give Councillors the opportunity to discuss the matter ? Is this the way you carry on ?

The Report you are about to vote on has not attempted to give the full picture or investigate alternatives, and I suggest prudent Members might like to reject this inaccurate, biased and shabby Report on a recorded vote.

Do we want Aquasplash reopened ? YES