Stratford Tories Abdicating Responsibilities - Nigel Rock

4.23.00pm GMT Sun 14th Dec 2008

Nigel Rock PPC with Cllr. David Close in Wellesbourne

The debate about the Wellesbourne Leisure Centre, forced by Lib Dem councillors Nigel Rock (Stockton & Napton) and David Close (Wellesbourne) in the face of opposition from the ruling Conservatives on Stratford District Council, was considered by the full Council on Monday last.

The Conservative group refused to support the idea of asking central government for support and instead forced an amendment to the motion placing the onus on Wellesbourne Parish Council. Councillor Chris Williams (Con, Fenny Compton), the Portfolio Holder for Leisure Services, said during the debate that "this Council has done enough and wishes to draw a line in the sand". He praised Councillor Nigel Rock, the proposer of the motion, for his eloquent speech but felt it was misdirected. He then called for an amendment incorporating the wording "this Council will endorse any initiative by Wellesbourne Parish Council to source funding for its proposed Leisure Centre as a consequence of this Council not being able to allocate capital or resources to Wellesbourne parish council." He said that the Council could not afford the time of officers to pursue further enquiries with the Westminster government.

Councillor David Close who seconded the original motion said "I just cannot believe what the Conservatives propose. All we are asking to do is to write a letter to the government on behalf of the whole of Stratford District Council."

Councillor Nigel Rock said "It was a bizarre to push the whole matter back into the lap of Wellesbourne Parish Council who had been doing their utmost to bring the scheme forward for so many years. It seems to me that Stratford District Council is abdicating from its responsibilities."

The Liberal Democrats and Independents opposed the modification to switch responsibility to the Parish Council, but the revision was approved on the Conservative block vote.

Following the meeting, councillors David Close and Nigel Rock wrote a joint letter to Alistair Darling (see below). David Close said "it took us about 15 minutes to compile and send this letter -- this is the time that the District Council said they could not afford."

Nigel Rock is the Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate for the new constituency of Kenilworth & Southam, within which the village of Wellesbourne is situated.

TEXT OF LETTER TO ALISTAIR DARLING FROM COUNCILLORS DAVID CLOSE AND NIGEL ROCK:

We learn from various reports, of the Government's clear intent to stimulate the economy with public expenditure projects which have an immediate effect on communities - projects such as schools, hospitals, housing and leisure centres. Some commentators have cast doubt on the speed with which such projects can be brought forward because of the time taken to establish and plan construction projects of this nature.

In October, Stratford on Avon District Council decided to withdraw its financial support for the building of a leisure centre in one of our principal settlements. Wellesbourne has a population of 6,000 and currently has no indoor leisure facilities at all. The Council withdrew this construction project (value £2.5 million) from their capital programme, citing the recent financial squeeze as the reason. Wellesbourne Parish Council continues to support the project.

As well as being close to Stratford, other towns that might be expected to benefit from the economic spin-off of the project include the nearby principal towns of Rugby, Leamington and Warwick.

In view of the Government's stated aim to bring forward projects of this nature, would you please indicate how local representatives might bring forward the commencement of this project, with financial help from the government, which apart from capital funding, is fully ready to proceed.