l COUNCILLOR Peter Pinfield said it was only right and proper to ask the people of the town for their views on the Lido.

"This is a major decision on behalf of our town," said Cllr Pinfield, as he asked for a parish poll to be held on the matter.

He said he believed residents did want to see the Lido demolished and a poll would show this.

"But if the people of this town are not prepared to support the Lido then I am sorry SALT but it will have to go."

Cllr Pinfield also reckoned residents would be prepared to subsidise the facility.

"To raise £10,000 people would have to pay an extra £1.25 a year on their tax. I think people are prepared to pay it."

Cllr Don Lawley (Con-South East) asked town clerk, Diane Malley, how much a parish poll would cost. She reported it would cost about £7,000.

However, it was decided if a poll was conducted it would run at the same time as next May's elections to keep costs to a minimum.

l GRAHAM Gopsill said Droitwich's 'unique Lido' must be saved.

The councillor spoke of his support for SALT's plans, backing it up with reference to the results of a recent questionnaire.

The SIMALTO survey, which was conducted by an independent company on behalf of the district council, gauged opinions on a host of issues, including the Lido

It showed 33 per cent of residents from randomly selected households across the district wanted money spent on the Lido.

However, when he and Councillor Seabourne asked for a breakdown of the results by area, it revealed 79 per cent of people in Droitwich would like to see the Lido re-opened.

Cllr Gospill said the Lido should not have been shut in the first place.

"It can now be seen that if this Lido is demolished it will cost Wychavon £100,000.

"If they had spent that four years ago then it would still be running and we wouldn't have to make this decision.

"I feel strongly that Wychavon should spend their capital money on it," said Cllr Gospill.

Earlier this month, the Advertiser revealed SALT could need subsidies of between £30,000 and £100,000 per year if the Lido was re-opened.

"I do not think it needs subsidising if it is priced right," added Cllr Gopsill.

He later said that too many Lidos in Britain were being bulldozed: "We really need this unique Lido.

"My proposal is quite mild. It is us saying we support SALT's plans for the Lido in principal."

l THE plans to re-open the Lido as a swimming pool and winter ice rink are too complex, said Councillor Roy Seabourne.

"The people want a fairly unpretentious Lido," he said.

Cllr Seabourne fully supported Cllr Gopsill's motion, saying the questionnaire results were the proof residents want to keep the Lido.

"We are grateful to SALT for producing a business plan. They are the first organisation to provide this detail."

He urged town councillors to take on the role of community leaders and help save the Worcester Road facility.

"If this town council can't provide community leadership, then who can?"

Cllr Seabourne also pointed out Cllr Gopsill's motion did not commit the town council to spending any money, but merely asked councillors to support it in principal.

Cllr Frank Payne later added: "The Lido at Bournville has now gone. This is the last chance to save ours."

He said his constituents didn't want Droitwich Leisure Centre extended, because it was already too crowded.

"We don't want some grand mansion, we just want our Lido."

l DROITWICH'S Mayor received rapturous applause from members of the public after speaking in support of plans to re-open the Lido.

Councillor Anne Taft (Con-South East) has been one of the town councillors working with SALT and denied the group was expecting the district council to stump up the £1 million needed to revamp it. "I am proud of SALT for coming up with this business plan. They have worked really hard from the very beginning."

She said Cllr Richard Morris (Con-South East), who was absent from the meeting, had emailed from his holiday to say he also wished to support SALT.

"We used to subsidise the Lido before it was closed down. But there was no reduction in the rates when we lost it," she said.

"I support the original motion in principal. Obviously the financial side has got to be looked into. No one wants to council to tie a rope around its neck."

l CONSERVATIVE Councillors Mike Barratt and Don Lawley said they could not support the plans without more information on how it would be financed.

Cllr Barratt explained: "Basically, the taxpayer is being asked to pay £1 million to build the complex. As I understand SALT has no financial backers from the private sector to support its plans." He said that to generate £1 million the average Band D property owner would see an annual rise in council tax of £116.13.

"Although SALT does refer to discussions with funding bodies, it is also building into the plan losses, which I understand is expected to be picked up by the rate payer. It would be like giving SALT a signed blank chequebook. We are aware Wychavon has asked for further information on seven areas of the report."

Cllr Lawley added he was not prepared to make a decision on behalf of his constituents until SALT had provided more financial information.

"I am in favour if is reasonable but until we know more I think it is premature to vote in this way."