This afternoon I participated in a public rally organised by the Save Croydon Olympic Outdoor Pool (SCOOP) group, which was used to demonstrate the ongoing public support that exists to save the Croydon Memorial Pool.

As one of the councillors that voted to retain the Croydon Memorial Pool I was invited to speak to reiterate my support for the facility and to discuss the next steps in the campaign. My speech was as follows:

I would like to thank everyone for showing your support for the retention of the Croydon Outdoor Pool. I would like to groups such as SCOOP and the Croydon Conservation Society for their support and dialogue both before I was on council and since being elected from November 2005. This ongoing momentum was invaluable in maintaining the community pressure to ensure the saving of the Croydon pool.

To me the issue of retaining the Croydon Pool is as much about governance as it is about listening to the community and respecting the results of a petition with 11,000 signatories. It is therefore important that you and the wider community continue to show your support for the pool as further steps still need to be taken.

This is the start of a new chapter, while Council has resolved to save the pool, steps still need to be taken to secure funding to upgrade and enhance the pool. It is crucial that the community continues to show its support for the Croydon outdoor pool and I wish everyone well as we continue to support this unique Croydon icon.