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PE2018: Recognise the value of swimming pools and provide financial relief to help keep pools open

Petition Summary

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to help keep our swimming pools and leisure centres open by providing financial investment for pools.

Petitioner: Helen Plank on behalf of Scottish Swimming

Status: Closed

Date published: 25 April 2023

Click here for full petition

SPICe Briefing (144KB, pdf) posted 22 May 2023

Committee Meetings

14 June 2023: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport and to sportscotland.

Official Report of Meeting 14 June 2023

20 March 2024: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport.

Official Report of Meeting 20 March 2024

22 January 2025: The Committee agreed to hold a roundtable evidence session at a future meeting. The Committee also agreed to write to COSLA, Dundee City Council, and Inverclyde Council.

Official Report of Meeting 22 January 2025

23 April 2025: The Committee took evidence from—

John Lunn, Chief Executive, Scottish Swimming
Derek McGown, Coach, East Kilbride Swimming Club
Duncan Scott OBE, Olympic Athlete
Abi Thomson, Young Volunteer Programme Champion

and then from—

Dianne Breen, Coached Programmes Manager, Sport Aberdeen
Kirsty Doig, Director, The Darcey Sunshine Project
Jillian Gibson, Policy Manager for Sport and Physical Activity, COSLA
Ben Lamb, Chief Executive, West Lothian Leisure (Xcite)

Official Report of Meeting 23 April 2025

07 May 2025: The Committee agreed to seek a Chamber debate on the issues raised by this petition, and to write to the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport.

Official Report of Meeting 7 May 2025

28 January 2026: The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.

Official Report of Meeting 28 January 2026