Narberth swimming pool could close at the end of October, if Pembrokeshire County Council's cabinet today approves the recommendation of its director of adult care and leisure, Pam Marsden.

The future of the pool first came under scrutiny in December of last year, with the council looking at saving £126,000 a year running costs and giving April 1 2014 as the closing date.

A consultation exercise was initiated in December and in January this year, towards the end of the consultation period, discussions took place between the Friends of Narberth Pool group and the council.

The Friends hoped to run the pool as a community enterprise. To allow time for a detailed business plan to be developed and funding secured it was agreed to keep the pool open for a further three months past the April closure date.

Mrs Marsden's report states that the Friends have, unfortunately, been "unable to raise sufficient funds for a viable business plan".

She says that by the time the report is considered this month a further £90,000 will have been spent on keeping the pool open.

"A decision now needs to be reached," she says. "To delay a decision any longer will inevitably detract from the council's ability to deliver quality leisure services at its other venues.

"There are good alternatives at Haverfordwest, Tenby and Crymych. They all have sufficient capacity and provide better facilities."

The director concludes that although the council recognises the Friends' efforts to produce a business case: "At the time of writing this report there is no conclusion on the part of the Friends of Narberth Pool although some initiatives are still developing.

"In order to limit ongoing expenditure to the council, it is proposed to recommend closure of the facility and to make contingency arrangements for school related swimming activity to be delivered from other centres from the end of October 2014.

"Should the Friends of Narberth Pool be unable to take on responsibility for the service from that time, it is proposed that the facility will close."

The report recommends that at today's meeting cabinet approves the closure of Narberth Swimming Pool from the end of October in order to determine the future of the pool and realise the council's cost reduction plan.