LOCAL charity, Harry’s Hydro, has been offered reassurance from Somerset County Council that the future of their lease is not in jeopardy.
The charity, which has run a community hydrotherapy pool on land at Critchill School since 2012, had feared for the future of their 30-year lease with Somerset County Council when they were told in November last year that Critchill School would be transferring to Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership Multi Academy Trust.
At the Frome Town Council ‘Town Matters’ meeting last week, chair of the trustees, Malcolm Westgate, told councillors, “There was a huge surprise for us at the end of the year, around November time, at a regular meeting with Critchill School when the head announced that they will become part of a trust and that our lease, which is with Somerset County Council, will be transferred to this new organisation.
“Well to hear about it in this back-handed way was a surprise. We’ve had no official letter from the council at all. We have lots of questions, but no answers. It’s the biggest worry we have.”
Reassurance
However, following questions from Frome Times, the council has offered some reassurance. A council spokesperson said, “The academy transfer process will shortly be commencing, and there will be no change in the terms or period of lease.
“We hope that clarifies the situation and alleviates any concerns members of the charity or local community may have.”
Speaking to Frome Times, who broke the news about the future of the lease, Malcolm Westgate said, “Brilliant! This is good news to hear – it sounds like we can carry on as we are. We now need to think about the future implications of the lease transfer to the academy – but that’s for the trustees to worry about.
“I haven’t received any correspondence from the county council yet – I did send them a letter before the Frome Town Council meeting, but there has been no reply yet. Hopefully, I will receive something soon.”
The hydrotherapy pool, run by Harry’s Hydro, was set up in memory of local boy Harry Fox, who died aged 13 months in 1999. It is a community facility for those with disabilities, sensory, learning or behavioural difficulties and life-threatening illnesses (e.g. cancer) or limiting conditions such as rheumatism. It caters for all ages from babies to the elderly.
More information can be found on the charity’s website: www.harrys-hydro.org
