Mothballing city lido among cost-cutting proposals

The city's lido costs more than £400,000 a year to run after entry fees are included

A council has proposed mothballing a city-centre lido and cutting back library services to plug a hole in its finances.

Peterborough City Council published its budget proposals on Monday, which set out how it plans to invest and save money next year.

The authority says its predicted budget gap for 2025-2026 has "increased significantly" from £3m to more than £20m due to demand for services and rising costs.

Mohammed Jamil, the deputy council leader, said: "We have to be honest about the fact that we cannot continue to provide everything we have done previously."

He said spending would continue in areas of "greatest need" such as care for the elderly and vulnerable, children and families, and housing support.

A consultation on the plans, where residents will be able to have their say, will be open between 17 December and 14 January.

Peterborough City Council said, like many councils, it was facing a significant financial challenge caused by "huge increases" in demand for services.

That included support in adult social care, children's services, special educational needs support and homelessness services.

It suggested raising council tax above 4.99%, which is the maximum allowed without a referendum.

The council has not confirmed a figure, but a 4.99% increase would add £83.15 per year to its element of the bill for a band D property – and boost the council coffers by £5.2m.

A loss-making cafe at Flag Fen Archaeology Park was highlighted in the budget proposals

The proposals highlight that the city's art deco outdoor swimming pool, which opens during the warmer months, costs more than £400,000 a year to run including entrance fees.

The council said the lido could open all-year round but this would need external funding.

It proposed to "mothball the lido whilst officers work to develop a new vision for the facility and seek to attract external investment".

Other proposals included shutting four loss-making cafes at the lido, Flag Fen Archaeology Park, Vivacity Premier Fitness and the Museum and Art Gallery, saving £100,000 a year.

Reducing opening hours at the Museum and Art Gallery from six days a week to three and increasing income from Flag Fen was predicted to save £345,000 over three years.

A proposal to reduce the current libraries service from 10 static libraries to three would save £314,000 a year.

The council said it would invest in a modernised Central Library and two additional libraries, with smaller self-service facilities in hubs across the city.

Two speed cameras operated at the council's cost, the city's annual spring clean and increased charges for various bin services were also mentioned in the document.

The council said it wanted to avoid issuing a Section 114 notice, where it tells the government it cannot meet its statutory duties within budget.

This would pause all but essential spending and allow government commissioners to take over the running of the council.

Mr Jamil said: "This is not the case in Peterborough, and that is thanks to the hard work and determination of cross-party councillors and officers."

Once the consultation closes the budget will be subject to approval by the council's cabinet.