Agenda item

Members asked questions of Portfolio Holders in accordance with Procedure Rules 8.1 and 8.2 as follows:

·         Councillor Cutler thanked all involved in the Fenland Inspire! projects and asked if anything will be done about the lack of play equipment in Murrow. She understands that Cabinet had said it is not financially prudent to pursue all the proposed projects, but those going ahead all appear to be town-based. Councillor Boden agreed he had said it is not currently financially viable to proceed with all the projects, but the aim is to provide a legacy for all Fenland residents and there are several out-of-town schemes, one of which is the district-wide play equipment assessment. This will include the villages, particularly those that are currently poorly served. Furthermore, it is not a one-off project but will run to March 2028 and he will ensure that the villages are not disadvantaged in the order of which works will arise.

·         Councillor Nawaz said it is commendable to provide play equipment for young children, and the Council must do its utmost to deliver outdoor facilities. He asked if the Station Road recreation ground in Whittlesey is on the list as well as the villages of Coates, Eastrea, Turves and Pondersbridge and if not, why not? Councillor Boden responded that a full assessment is yet to be completed but it will review areas where there is little or no provision, including those mentioned. Meanwhile Councillor Nawaz will be aware that members stopped the Station Road ground being sold some months ago and work is being done to make the area available for the public in the long term. However, this area has been subjected to repeated serious vandalism and so there is no appetite to invest further money there. Councillor Nawaz said that vandalism can occur anywhere and requested that this be reviewed. The better option would be to work with the community and police to get vandalism under control otherwise this could be perceived as a collective punishment for the community. He is aware this is taxpayers’ money and knows how carefully it is scrutinised, but the money is being spent on them, and decent young people should not be punished. Councillor Boden said the extent of this vandalism is far greater than anywhere else in the whole of Fenland and in this case there is alternative provision available at the nearby Manor Leisure Centre. He does not like the idea of withdrawing a facility but ultimately if the community fails to ensure a resource continues to an operational standard, a decision must be made on cost. Based on the level of vandalism previously, how long would new equipment at this site last, nine months, six months, a week?

·         Councillor Nawaz voiced his concern at the mixed feedback for customer satisfaction at the leisure centres, noting that Freedom Leisure’s national average score is 21 compared to Fenland’s average score of 13. He asked what the plans are to increase this score and how it will be monitored and requested that the Council be given a progress update in six months’ time. Councillor Boden said the quality of leisure services needs to be taken up with Councillor Wallwork and he would encourage members to forward any complaints to her. Meanwhile the Council is offering the biggest investment in leisure centres in the region of tens of millions of pounds. He cannot promise results in six months but by 2028, Fenland’s leisure centre facilities will be substantially greater than they are now. Councillor Mrs Davis pointed out that Freedom Leisure representatives recently attended an Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting where all those questions were answered adequately and members can be reassured that Freedom Leisure remains under scrutiny.

·         Councillor Nawaz was pleased to read that a health station is being placed in Wisbech and asked if this could be replicated in all the Fenland towns given the enormous health disparity in this region. Councillor Tierney said it is not always financially possible, but the concern should be more about trying to get everyone healthy, and not the disparity. Ultimately it is a matter of personal choice, and all FDC can do is provide information and get people to understand what will make them healthier, the rest is up to them.