Plans to consult residents on the future of Whittlesey’s Manor Leisure Centre have been thrown into controversy after Fenland District Council cancelled scheduled public events, citing pre-election rules.
The council announced last week that drop-in sessions due to be held in Whittlesey Market Square and at the leisure centre itself would not go ahead because of “necessary pre-election period restrictions” linked to a forthcoming by-election.
By-elections for both Fenland District Council and Whittlesey Town Council’s North West ward were triggered by the resignation of Cllr Elisabeth Sennitt Clough. The by elections will take place on Thursday 23 October.
But the decision to halt the consultation has angered independent candidate Martin Curtis, a former Fenland Council leader who is standing in the by-election. He has accused the council of hiding behind “purdah” rules and questioned whether the explanation given is credible.
He said: “Firstly, why was the consultation cancelled? The important phrase in the statement is necessary pre-election period restrictions”.
“These pre-election periods are called purdah, and they are the same across the country; they basically forbid councils from ‘publicising the views of political parties, issuing press releases or promoting initiatives with quotes and photos from a particular councillor, which could be seen as unfairly promoting one political agenda over another’.
“I cannot in any sense see who was likely to be promoted in this consultation that would have created advantage to any party or candidate.
“We deserve a better explanation, including the specifics about why an election justified the postponement of the consultation. This can only delay any redevelopment that does take place (if it doesn’t delay things, they aren’t consulting properly). I know people are sick of the amount of time it takes Governments at every level to get things done – and this is an example of why.”
Curtis added that it was also an “unforgivable oversight” not to let the town council know the consultation had been postponed “which on the surface is a comment about FDC’s views of Town Councils in general or maybe just about Whittlesey Town Council.
“However, something does not ring true here. I remind you that we have a number of Cabinet Members at FDC that are also members of Whittlesey Town Council.
“I am willing to accept that the decision to cancel the event on purdah grounds was made by officers (even if I think it was a wrong decision). However, I cannot believe that the political leadership were not briefed, for that not to happen is simply unfathomable.
“So why didn’t those cabinet members who are from Whittlesey tell the Town Council about the decision, especially as one of them is currently acting as the “Temporary Proper Officer of the Town Council”?
The Manor Leisure Centre redevelopment forms part of Fenland District Council’s Fenland Inspire! programme, a multi-million-pound plan to upgrade leisure and community facilities. While no final design or budget has been approved, the project is being billed as one of the most significant investments in Whittlesey for decades.
Independent councillor Ro Gerstner wrote about the consultation on his blog and criticised lack of interest by fellow town councillors in the Manor re-development.
Two weeks ago, the town council was invited to meet Phil Hughes FDC Director of Leisure, and to ask questions of him and portfolio holder Cllr Steve Count.
“Only I, Cllr Haq Naqaz and Cllr Alex Miscandlon attended as Whittlesey councillors, out of 13 currently elected.
“Whist I fully accept some have work commitments, only Cllr Dee Laws sent her apologies, a very poor response, for what is potentially the biggest investment in our town for several generations.”
Fenland District Council has not provided further detail about why the events were deemed to breach purdah rules but insisted the redevelopment project is still on track and that residents will have more opportunities to give feedback.
