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WHY HAS THE INTEGRITY OF CERTAIN PARISH COUNCILLORS BEEN CALLED INTO QUESTION?

Dear Ed,

My wife has recently been on at me to get rid of some of the papers I have accumulated in my office over the years.

I eventually began sorting these out and interestingly came across a document which may throw some light on the recent furore over the Leisuredrome, and why Hawkinge Parish Council is only able to direct certain funding towards the football pitch project but  is unable to use those funds to renovate the Leisuredrome.

I think a recent letter to the website from Messrs Veale and Murrum which questioned the actions of certain parish councillors regarding the new football pitch will find the answers here.

The following are unedited extracts from the Shepway Development Control Committee meeting of 1 April 2003.


94. REPLACEMENT FOOTBALL PITCH, HAWKINGE

REPORT DC/02/39 details that this Council holds funds for Hawkinge Parish Council amounting to some £155,000 including interest, to enable it to construct a replacement football pitch/recreation area on land adjacent to the Cricket Club. The Parish Council has requested that £55,593 be released for equipment and initial running costs of the new community centre. The report explains the circumstances and recommends that funds be released.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs J D Hollingsbee
Seconded by Councillor H A Barker, and

RESOLVED:
(1) To receive and note Report DC/02/39.
(2) To return £55,593 to the Parish Council from the 'Football Pitch Fund'.
(3) To agree that the requirement to provide the new football pitch be waived for a further period of 2 years.

(Voting: For 14; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

87. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor P Smith declared a prejudicial interest in respect of Report DC/02/39 (Replacement of Football Pitch, Hawkinge). His interest arose out of being a member of Hawkinge Parish Council and being personally and closely involved in the project. He therefore was absent from the Council Chamber during the discussion and voting on this item.

The minutes demonstrate that Hawkinge Parish Council have no legal option other than to spend these funds on the new football pitch project and that Cllr Peter Smith as an ex Trustee and Charity Correspondent of the Leisuredrome Charity (Hawkinge Youth and Community Sports Council (HYSC)) knew precisely that this was the legal position, after all he has been heavily involved in both projects.

So why has the integrity of certain parish councillors been called into question?

I cannot understand why, when Cllr Smith was a Trustee of the HYSC the two trustees who wrote to the website seemed to be unaware of the legal position.

Colin Tearle