EFFORTS to get residents to take over a swimming pool from a cash-strapped council could be doomed by “unacceptable” timeframes, it is claimed.

Newcastle City Council is keen for community groups to take over swimming pools, libraries and other facilities it can no longer afford as it cuts £100m from its budget.

But a meeting to find interest in taking over the running of Gosforth Pool ended in uproar when it was revealed that the council wants a group to be formed and submit interest in less than a month.

Any group would have to find around £250,000 to cover the current council subsidy as well as taking on the employment of 27 staff and the upkeep of the building.

West Gosforth councillor Nick Cott, who called the meeting with two of his Liberal Democrat colleagues, said: “The timescale put up was one that the elected members had no knowledge of. It was given to the staff that day.

“There’s a real issue there because it’s a very tight timeframe.

“That’s certainly something that we will be taking to the council administration to say that it’s unacceptably tight and there needs to be some flexibility. It’s really important that residents have a chance to get involved with the future of the pool, whether it’s in a bid themselves or ensuring community benefits if an outside provider comes in.

“I’m hopeful that there will be some flexibility because, if not, that negates the whole possibility of residents being involved in the process.”

The council voted through a huge cuts package last month that will see closures of libraries, pools, leisure centres and other facilities unless community groups take over the running of them.

The meeting was told that running costs at Gosforth Pool are currently around £250,000 higher than its income, with that shortfall having to be made up by any community group that took over.

Such a group would also have to continue pay and pension rights for the pool’s 13 full-time and 14 part-time staff.

As well as Gosforth, the council is to transfer ownership of the Eldon Square Leisure Centre, the Outer West Pool in West Denton and Elswick Pool.

A spokesman for the council said: “As part of our efforts to find a community organisation that is willing and able to take over ownership of Gosforth Pool we are prepared to be flexible with time scales but we must work within our budget constraints.

“Negotiations are ongoing with interested parties.”