Kenilworth councillors were split over a decision to approve a new budget for the swimming pools in Abbey Fields.

Following a lengthy debate at last night's (November 15) Warwick District Council meeting, the local authority was given the green light to press ahead with signing new contracts with developers Kier for the leisure centre.

While the official new budget was kept private from the public, a recent estimate from Kier on the upper costs for the development earlier this year put the price at £22.6 million - while members of the public speaking at the meeting said £27 million.

And with the decision to press ahead with the project in Abbey Fields getting an overall majority from councillors across the district, members in Kenilworth were divided on the issue.

"I know that Kenilworth needs a swimming pool, and I would love to be able to teach there and swim there," said Cllr Lara Cron. 

"But I want to make sure we have the best in terms of location, in terms of costs and in terms of design. 

"As we are only being presented with one option, I cannot be sure."

Cllr Richard Hales agreed, saying he wants swimming in Kenilworth, but wanted information on the costs of other sites.

"We have a programme here that has tripled in cost in the time it has gone on with," he said. 

"The cost burden will come back to this council and to taxpayers." 

Meanwhile, Cllr Andrew Milton - who proposed a cross-party group be appointed to govern the project going forward - said the council needed to press ahead with the new pools in Abbey Fields.

"Everyone recognizes this is an incredibly difficult situation and there are no easy answers," he said. 

"I think everyone is treating it very seriously and exploring what our sensible options are. 

"We need swimming in Kenilworth, we have been without a swimming pool for two years."

By a split decision, the council voted in favour of the new budget - with much of the funding set to be borrowed.

Councillors were told the new contracts are hoped to be ready in January, when group leaders will discuss whether the new figures are acceptable.

Four Kenilworth councillors - Cllrs Cron, Hales, Kyn Aizlewood, and Lowell Williams - voted against the new budget.

Meanwhile all the remaining Kenilworth councillors - Cllrs Richard Dickson, Kate Dickson, Milton, James Kennedy, David Armstrong, and Josh Payne - voted in favour.