Investing £262,000 in the swimming pools in Sidmouth, Exmouth and Honiton could cut energy bills by £60,000 a year, according to a report.

East Devon District Counci’s (EDDC) cabinet is set to consider the extra cash allocation in its capital programme for the current year when it meets on Wednesday (November 29).

The annual energy savings of £60,000 would give a ‘payback period’ of just over four years.

The report says: “Currently, the council supports the annual deficit of LED in relation to the running of leisure facilities in East Devon.

“In order to maintain this deficit funding around the current level of £893,720 per annum, due to cost pressures in running these services, initiatives need to be pursued to reduce costs.”

The report adds that it is anticipated that £75,000 would be required within the next five years to replace the air handling unit at Sidmouth Swimming Pool.