John ISON Swimming Out Of His Depth It Seems!
Contractor goes in pool debacle
STUDLEY Leisure Centre's management company is ending its 12-year tenure after major controversy over council leaks, the firm's financial status and accusations over health and safety.Studley Pool Management (SPM), which was re-awarded the contract to run the refurbished Studley pool last year, has lost about £100,000 according to co-director John Ison.
But he vehemently denied accusations about safety, staff levels and training.
The leisure centre will close for major repairs on November 11, after severe problems with falling tiles, warped flooring and faulty ceiling fixtures. A reopening date has not been set.
Mr Ison said SPM and Stratford Council had mutually agreed to dissolve their contract. The council's executive committee is due to discuss the contract on Monday.
Meanwhile Stratford councillor and Liberal Democrat deputy leader Peter Moorse has called on the District Auditor to launch an investigation.
The move follows the leak of confidential council reports on SPM.
But Mr Ison, who runs the company with former county councillor Luise Gunter, said all staff, including the cleaner, were fully qualified as pool attendants and there had been some argument about the levels of staffing at different times.
"This has finished the company," he said.
"We were losing up to £10,000 a month and that's just unsustainable.
"I am shattered. Next year would have been our 13th year here.
"The state of the building is dire and attendance has been rubbish to be honest.
"My fear now is that its reopening will be delayed because the council will have to put the contract back out for tender which could take months."
Stratford Council is to launch an investigation into the leak of information.
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