Swimming Pool Support Fund opens for applications

The government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund is now open to applications from local authorities with pools in their area.

The £20m revenue fund closes on 11 August, with an additional £40m pot for capital investment set to be made available in September, to help make facilities more energy efficient.

Announced as part of the Spring Budget, the £60m fund is split into two pots. The initial £20m that has opened for applications is aimed at helping facilities with swimming pools that are most vulnerable to closure, or significant service reduction.

The remaining £40m will be made available in September and will be for investment to improve the energy efficiency of public facilities with pools in the medium to long term.

Local authorities will be required to apply on behalf of the eligible pools in their area, with the revenue funding element closing on 11 August.

The fund will be managed by Sport England on behalf of the DCMS.

Sport England chief executive, Tim Hollingsworth, said: “We know that the provision of public swimming pools in England is at real risk because of the threats resulting from increased energy and maintenance costs, weakened operator reserves and staff retention difficulties.

“That’s why we’ve worked so closely with the Local Government Association, District Councils’ Network, the Active Partnerships Network, ukactive, Community Leisure UK, Swim England and others when developing this fund on behalf of the DCMS.

“We wanted to make the application and funding process as fast and simple as possible, only requiring information that will be readily available to local authorities.

“While we recognise this funding cannot support all facilities with pools in England, it is a significant level of one-off support to contribute to the pressures being felt now and one that, combined with the capital investment available later in the year, will continue to help those most in need.”

To find out more about the fund – and to apply – click here.