Council makes pulp out of consultation questionnaires
The leaflets for Forest Hill Pools consultation posted on Lewisham Council website have now been changed.This is the new version.
This is the old version that was downloadable from the consultation page until 2 days ago (we linked to it in the previous post and that link is now dead).
Tens of thousands of glossy leaflets already printed and ready to be distributed have been considered unworthy of the effort and will now go through the excellent Council's recycling mill.
New leaflets have now been ordered, they will be distributed to Forest Hill residents only after the public meeting with the Mayor scheduled for tomorrow night.
There are some appreciable differences between the two versions.
The refurbishment options forecast cost is now down to £4million.
This is only £100,000 down from the £4.1million quote of the end of last week.
Still a marked £2.5million (62%) increase from last March quote.
The new built option is now forecast at £4.7million.
Up £600,000 from last Friday and £2.2million from last March (47%).
What this new leaflet has more than the old is the list of "advantages and disadvantages".
It makes clear that with the new build option Forest Hill Pools will loose one pool and flexibility of use.
What it doesn't make it clear is where exactly the £4million for the refurbishment would be spent on.
The
list of works to be carried under this scheme doesn't make any
reference to remedial works to the pool, the plant and the pipeworks.
Is the council planning to spend £4million on redecorating and a new disabled lift from the car-park?
Another question that this questionnaire raises is why the Council is prepared to pay more for the new built than for the refurbishment?
The leaflet also gives some indication of timing for the works:
Refurbishment or redevelopment will take time.
If Option 1 is adopted we would expect work to be completed around April 2008. The pools are likely to be closed for approximately 14 months.
If Option 2 is adopted we would expect work to be completed around June 2008. The pools are likely to be closed for approximately 16 months.
That means that Forest Hill Pools is supposed to close in February 2007 (expected opening of Downham Lifestyles). ...read more...

