AT CORNWALL Council's Emergency budget meeting on Friday, Bude North and Stratton's Cornwall Councillor Nathan Bale tabled an amendment regarding Bude Sea Pool.

It called on the council to not withdraw funding for Bude's Sea Pool for up to one year. This was to give local people a sensible amount of time to come up with a long term solution.

Despite 4,000 people supporting the Facebook page (Save Bude Sea Pool), over 6,000 people signing petitions and passionate speeches from local councillors Nathan Bale and Nigel Pearce the amendment was defeated 55 votes to 46.

Speaking after the meeting, Nathan said: "It is clear, from both the responses on Facebook and from talking to people, that everyone involved in the campaign is very disappointed. All we were asking for was more time to look into options to keep the pool open. It's clear that the Conservative lead administration seem more concerned about cutting hard and fast than they are about the consequences of their actions.

NO?STOPPING!

"I'd like to thank everyone for their support thus far and reassure them that we will not give up! The campaign goes on as the sea pool is too important to lose. The STOP (save the old pool) action group has been set up and we will be meeting to decide what action to take next."

Cllr Nigel Pearce said: "The vote was so close, we only needed five more councillors out of the 123 to support us and we would be in a different situation now. I can't believe the council is willing to play fast and loose with such an important asset to this area.

"As I said at the meeting, there are many issues facing us at the moment and politics can be very divisive. There is, however, one thing that we can all agree on in the Bude area. That is that our sea pool must be kept."

See the 'Post' for more thoughts on Bude Sea Pool.