Falkirk Council facing questions over 'unacceptable' closure of Bo'ness centre

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A councillor is asking Falkirk Council 's external auditors to look into "unacceptable behaviour" by the local authority in the way it has handled the decision to close Bo'ness Recreation Centre.

The controversial decision was approved by 15 votes to 13 at a council meeting on January 31. But it came just a few weeks after councillors had agreed to give the centre more time and get more information before making a final decision. Read more: Dog fouling on Falkirk school path sparks protest from toddlers and nursery children It is against the council's standing orders for a decision to return to council within six months and Cllr McCabe is not convinced that it should have.Councillors had been told that evidence from a condition report made it clear that the decision could not wait for another six months and it could be dangerous if the centre remained open.Indeed, just days after the final decision was reached, the swimming pool was closed due to safety fears, with water seeping from the pool into the surrounding concrete.But it has now been revealed that a report by Falkirk Council's Development Services team, in 2019, had recommended urgent repair work being done on the pool.

The 2019 report states: “In view of the hazard to the public and the increased risk caused by the weakened corner of the structure, it is my opinion that the swimming pool should be closed and drained as soon as possible. "Monitoring the cracks and damage would not be appropriate in these circumstances.

A specialist contractor should be appointed to repair the swimming pool. The will involve replacing all defective concrete and reinforcement at the South East corner of the pool as soon as possible.” In letters to both Audit Scotland and