A leading district councillor has said Spalding Town Forum should dig in to pay for the town’s parks after the state of play equipment was criticised.
Coun Henry Bingham made the claim after Coun Manzur Hasan raised concerns about the state of the equipment during a meeting of South Holland District Council which owns them.
“Many residents have raised concerns about outdated and unsafe play equipment and lack of facilities,” Coun Hasan said.
Coun Bingham responded that Spalding Town Forum, which Coun Hasan is a member of, could take responsibility by putting money into the parks..
“Parish councils take on most of their parks,” he said.
“If Spalding Town Forum are minded they could put forward to cabinet that they could use some of their reserves to improve them like parish councils do.
“It always sticks with me that parish councils pay for their parks, Spalding Town Forum should pay for their parks.”
Coun Hasan responded that he thought it was something that the forum members could look into.
Coun Gary Taylor urged the public to report any issues with play equipment.
“If we can find any funding for improvements we need to make the effort to do that.”
Spalding is unusual for a town its size that in that it doesn’t have a parish or town council.
The Spalding Town Forum was set up several years ago after a referendum on whether to have a town council delivered a no vote, though it doesn’t have the same standing as a council and its funds are controlled by South Holland District Council.
- In response to a separate question, district council leader Coun Nick Worth reiterated that he felt it was now really important a Spalding town council is formed ahead of local government reorganisation which will see the district council and Lincolnshire County Council abolished and bigger, unitary authorities created.
Coun Worth outlined that the creation of a Spalding Town Council was part of its bid alongside East Lindsey District Council to oversee the new authority which would include those regions, Boston, North and South Kesteven.
“The government will do a consultation when they make their final decision next year.
“A Spalding Town Council is on the top of my agenda.
“It’s really important for Spalding particularly with whatever size unitary you end up with.
“It’s important that Spalding has a voice at the end of reorganisation.”
