Spalding Town Board says its members are committed to improving the town as it addressed criticisms recently levelled at it.
Last week Spalding Town Board unveiled its initial plans for spending £20m over 20 years.
The ideas are being consulted on until October 28, ahead of the final bid deadline of November 28.
As The Voice previously reported, the board hadn’t responded to questions including why some members had been replaced and why so few of the agendas and minutes of its meeting held behind closed doors had been published.
But the board’s chair Robin Hancox and deputy chair Nick Worth spoke as the proposals were published.
Both say the board weren’t aware that the minutes and agendas of meetings weren’t being published until it was raised by The Voice.
They put it down to a ‘third party’ operating the website and Mr Hancox stated it would be updated last week, but it still hadn’t been as The Voice went to press on Wednesday.
Mr Hancox apologised and said he himself was disappointed at that and with aspects of the handling of changes to the board.
“We are aware one or two are disappointed as a result and possibly disillusioned,” he said. “I think it’s been handled badly but I’ve made it quite clear there’s no obstruction to people communicating their points.
“We’re making sure we’re fully transparent.”
The Voice also asked if he was happy with regards to the number of people on the town board who actually live in Spalding.
“We’ve got experts in health, tourism, education all bringing different things to the table,” he said. “We feel it is the best for putting our proposals together and these can always be changed and enhanced.
“I think we’ve almost been at 100 per cent attendance for all meetings and they’re all making contributions and giving tremendous support.
“Everyone has the determination, commitment and effort to push this forward.
“I take no credit for that.
“It’s all down to the members’ hard work. I’m not interested in sniping from the sides.
“Everyone who is doing it is committed to making Spalding better.”
Coun Worth said the changes in the board were a response to the government changing the criteria for members.
“I think the most important thing is whether they’re on the board or not, it will not stop them being involved in the process,” he said. “If everybody who wanted to be on the board was on it, it wouldn’t be manageable.
“Part of the remit is to deliver extra funding with organisations, for example Active Lincolnshire has that relationship with Sport England.
“It’s important we take that into account and have people that can leverage funding and have the skills to develop the plan further.”
So far 71 had already got in contact with regards the consultation by Monday night.
It can be viewed via the Spalding Town Board’s website https://lovespalding.co.uk/
The group is also asking for those behind projects that could benefit from the money get in touch by October 28.
For more information visit https://lovespalding.co.uk/call-for-projects/
“I think it’s a really exciting moment for the town board and the town,” said Coun Worth. “The feedback we’ve already had has shaped the document and it’s already a positive we’re stimulating ideas.
“It’s a real opportunity for people to think outside of the box about how we can get people into the town.”
Mr Hancox said: “The town board members have worked and are still working so hard on this.
“We’ve got a very varied skillset and are meeting fortnightly.
“We’re having to be patient with the delays from central government, but he members are giving their own time and their tremendous knowledge towards shaping this.”
