A COUNCILLOR has accused his authority of deliberately running a swimming pool into the ground to justify selling it off for housing.

Coun John Harris, who sits on Richmondshire District Council, said certain members were obstructing progress at Richmond Leisure Trust, to try to make the facility unviable.

At a meeting on Tuesday, Coun Harris produced a letter from board members of the trust, set up three years ago to take over responsibility for Richmond pool from the council.

In the letter, board members accuse councillors of ignoring their concerns about facilities they inherited from the authority, even adding: "Coun Fleur Butler told us that the council could just close the facility and sell the land for housing".

This was refuted by Coun Butler, who said the trust was using Coun Harris as a "pawn".

She added: "I certainly did not say the facility should be sold for housing, and I will make every effort to ensure Richmond has a decent swimming pool. Don't forget we give the trust £350,000 a year, whilst arts and heritage only get £10,000.

"The trust is being very misleading."

Coun Harris said when the trust was set up, it was agreed that a review would take place after three years.

"That shows no signs of happening," he said. "It seems this council hopes to undermine the trust, so when the new pool at Catterick Garrison opens, Richmond pool can be sold off to fund a move to new headquarters.

"I call for an overview and scrutiny review, to reveal the truth."

It also emerged that Coun Jimmy Wilson-Petch, the council's representative on the leisure trust board since last May, had refused to sign the original document and had only attended five meetings.

Coun Harris said he should have spoken up at the time if he felt he could not fulfil the role, but Coun Wilson-Petch said: "I was under the impression I was just an observer on the board.

"I took legal guidance, and was advised not to sign the form making me a member."

Coun Harris' motion to hold an review was lost by 19 votes to ten. He said: "I'm very disappointed."

Speaking after the meeting, Richmond Lesiure Trust board director Roberta Barker said: "We don't want to get caught up in any political issues at the council; we should all be working together.

"All the trust wants to do is get on with providing the best service we can for the people of Richmondshire."