URGENT UPDATE**

It is with deep regret that the Prom Lake Campaign committee members have to announce that the campaign to reinstate the lake at the Prom has to be abandoned.

This is due to a number of reasons which are:-

1             We were assured by 2 local business owners that the costs to reinstate the lake would cost the campaign and the Maldon tax payers nothing and that they could organise this.

Since we have pushed for a commitment to this in writing (to include in our business plan to MDC) 1 has withdrawn their commitment and support to the campaign.

It is therefore unviable for the remaining business owner to commit to this campaign.

As we have assured the campaign supporters and Maldon tax payers publicly that it would not cost them a penny, we cannot now go back on our word to start crowdfunding the campaign whilst we still do not have MDC support.

2             MDC will not support this campaign if it costs them to do so. They are in budget deficit and would only consider this campaign if they see a profit in it for them. They have also refused to take any responsibility for the duty of care that would be place on them for running the lake.

We cannot ask any management company to run the lake if there is no profit in it for them (which there will not be if laying out the initial cost of conversion).

3             We have many signatures (nearly 9,000) and many face book page supporters (nearly 2,000) which we really appreciate and thank wholeheartedly; however, despite the committee members numerous requests for assistance on face book for help at events, assistance with the business plan or just handing out flyers, this has resulted in a distinct lack of assistance. This has meant that the same 3 to 4 people organise, attend, manage and financially support events to spread the campaign and gather signatures for the petition as well as working in the background. Which is now (after 2 years of doing so) unsustainable. With full time work commitments, child care and health restrictions, we just cannot do this anymore without any further support.

4             The MDC do not support this campaign, (we have most definitely been on their radar of concern though) and with the new increased independent councillors, whilst we had a much better chance of achieving this goal from the initial rejection in November 2017;  our main stumbling block is the conversion costs now not being met and lack of tangible support in the work that needs to be done.

We would like to draw your attention to the fantastic work that has been done by the small dedicated committee over the last 2 years:-

·        Chartered surveyor drawings of a potential design for the lake – great thanks goes to Tony Claydon for this.

·        Financial forecasts and spreadsheet

·        Business plan

·        All the events that we have attended throughout the 2 years, including the Maldon carnival last year, to hand out flyers and gather signatures – Thanks to Lisa Cullumbine, Alec Hopkins, Marie Ellis and David Hughes.

·        Our online presence on face book, social media sites (pushing the petition) and twitter. Which takes time to keep promoting – Thank you to Lavinia Bentley, Alec Hopkins, Lisa Cullumbine and Marie Ellis.

·        The hours of research both in the law, other lidos and outdoor swimming society. The numerous phone calls, emails, messages and meetings had with local business owners (including shops and kiosks, experts, authorities. – Thanks to Lisa Cullumbine, Alec Hopkins and Marie Ellis.

·        The many committee meetings we have had to organise all of the above – Thanks to everyone on the committee for their time and effort; and to those that attended the meetings as experts or advisors – David Williams and Mark Heard.

There has been so much work, time and commitment by our committee members and some dedicated expert individuals that have offered their time and knowledge, (if you are not mentioned, we do thank you and appreciate it). It is very sad that we have to give this up after so much work and passion from you all.

We are still very passionate about this issue and campaign and would dearly love it to continue and to come to fruition, to bring our lake back and for the MDC to support this, but unfortunately in our current state we cannot continue.

We know that this will disappoint many many supporters, as it does us; to make this most difficult decision, but without greater tangible support from anymore that our small committee members we cannot continue.

We also need a monetary solution for the initial conversion to present to MDC, otherwise this will just not even be considered.

We are deeply saddened and disappointed by this decision we have had to make, and did not make this lightly or without a great deal of consideration of the options.

Really sorry if we have let you down, but we do hope that you understand the position that we are in.

Prom Lake Campaign Committee