Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to provide support to open local paddling pools next summer
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has pledged to provide support to community groups to open local paddling pools next summer, through the RCT Together initiative.
RCT Together works with communities and the voluntary sector to explore the alternative delivery of services and facilities, to maintain them for the future. The Council has helped a number of community groups complete the relevant processes required to open paddling pools in recent summers.
The Council understands that a lot of work is required to undertake the management, maintenance and ongoing operation of the facilities. Therefore it has agreed to provide a £5,000 support package to each volunteer group working towards opening a paddling pool in summer 2018.
This additional support includes funding for a qualified lifeguard, supervisory support, water management, training, risk assessment and a condition survey for the paddling pool. The £5,000 package is based on the paddling pool opening for eight hours per day over a four-week period.
The additional Council support for 2018 was communicated to those who attended the Paddling Pool Event on Tuesday, November 14, set up to give groups an idea of what is required to successfully open a paddling pool – including information on funding bids and future lease/license arrangements.
A council spokesman said, “With this announcement of additional support for 2018, the Council has strengthened its commitment to help local groups open paddling pools across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“The RCT Together approach has been successful in a number of areas since it was introduced to help find new ways to operate local services, securing them for the future. Paddling pools are an excellent example of this.
“In recent years, a number of facilities have re-opened during the summer months for the enjoyment of local communities.
“The Council recognises that adhering to all the requirements and regulations to open a paddling pool is a difficult and time-consuming process – which is why it has chosen to provide additional support to help volunteer groups.”
