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CLLR HOGBEN RESPONDS TO LEISUREDROME ROW LETTER

 In response to Cllr. Keven Avery's letter about his personal view of the plans row over the Spitfire Leisuredrome - Click for story -  Cllr Peter Hogben has replied regarding his report on the Leisuredrome.

The letter is published below.

Cllr. Keven Avery

Hawkinge Parish Council

20 November 2006

Hello Keven 

I have a note from Susan re. flag poles. She also directed me to an article you wrote on the Gazette web site. 

Re. the Report on the Leisuredrome (LD) I had earlier written: Following its 'publication' I was approached by the Vicar, as Chairman of the 'Group' who were to operate the LD. I was subsequently shown detail of the work they had done, the plans they had, the support in numbers of users they had (and still have) and the basic detail of the funds they had raised and were promised. Their work had been built on the reasonably held assumption they would be using the LD. 

Later a serious procedural accusation was made to me regarding the Parish Council (PC) which I now believe to be correct but, perhaps, best not mentioned here. They also claimed they had passed information to David, as Chairman of the PC, for Members which, they said, had not been done. I certainly didn't see it. 

My further involvement was to ask that the PC, based on the new information, consider the matter again. This did not happen. I was later asked to speak as a PC Member on the behalf of 'Young People' in Hawkinge at a Shepway District Council  Development Control Committee meeting at the Civic Centre. This I did but have refused to do so on the second planned occasion. 

I have no doubt in my mind that the Groups operation should have continued to be supported and believe PC Members would have done so if they had looked in detail at what was arranged and planned by the Group. The PC could not, itself, progress the activity it as it doesn't have the funds. The Community Centre, I am told, is generally 'booked up' and is certainly not suitable for some of the planned purpose of uses at the LD. 

As well as writing the report I consulted with Social Services, The Crime Prevention Officer and other Agencies and Charities before taking a further point of view. Upon later consideration I found it to be unreasonable of me to have made the report as I did without knowing, at the time, all relevant detail. 

I will happily go along with whatever decisions are made on this item and any others provided they are made in a manner not intended to waste tax payer's money and are honest under all other headings. 

Peter Hogben