A councillor says he is “shocked” by an MP’s criticism of Lichfield District Council’s failed bid for Levelling Up funding to pay for a new leisure centre.
The local authority learned today (19th January) that it had not been included in a list of successful applicants for the Government cash.
The council had hoped the funding would pay for a new leisure centre at Stychbrook Park.
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant said “flaws in the application” meant the bid had prevented it from even reaching the minister’s desk for a final decision.
He added that face-to-face training was being offered for council officials to help them put together a successful bid and that he hoped that a bid to a third round of Levelling Up funding could be successful “if Lichfield acquires the expertise”.
Cllr Steve Norman, leader of the Labour opposition group at Lichfield District Council, said:
“This is condescending and insulting of our staff. In fact, I have never heard this sort of attack before from any MP.
“It is astonishing that he criticises officers but not the political leadership that agreed it.
“Clearly, and not for the first time, the MP was not doing his job and had taken his eye off the ball.
“Did he not see the bid before it was sent or offered his colleagues advice? Did he not follow up with the minister? Surely, he has known for some time that the application did not get as far as the minister’s desk and so likely to have told the council leadership that?
“In 1999, the then Labour-led Lichfield District Council won a bid for funding of a new leisure centre in Burntwood. I and my Burntwood colleagues want the same for Lichfield city’s residents.”
Cllr Steve Norman, Lichfield District Council
Despite missing out on the funding, council chiefs say they will now push forward a plan to spend £10million from the local authority’s own coffers on the new facility.
Fabo at his best again
i am not shocked and I also reiterate my comments from before our MP is a disgrace. Maybe also the relationship between Cllr Pullen and our MP is not a as cosy as we all thought – is our MP now attacking Doug Pullen and the Officers he leads? CERTAINLY time for an MP change. We need an MP to work with the Cll in London not to come back to Lichfield with hate and vial outbursts.
The money wasted on the failed Test & Trace programme could have paid for a 15% pay rise for the entire NHS until 2058. And left enough for a few leisure centres.
The Tories chose to give our money to their cronies.
It’s now beyond obvious that our MP has outstayed his welcome. His performance has wavered since 2017, and he now serves to exist as a nothing more than nodding dog for Conservative HQ.
How could he have let this happen? It’s unthinkable. Furthermore, he’s responsible for making sure things like this are water tight. Instead of owning up to his error, he instead points the finger at others, and insists “it wasn’t my fault”. This, apparently, is demonstrating leadership and accountability. What. A. Joke.
So, let’s just recap on Mr Fabricant’s recent form….
He voted in favour of allowing sewage to be pumped into local rivers.
He voted in favour of allowing companies to fire and rehire
He voted in favour of sacking nurses and ambulance workers
He was mysteriously banned from a local Primary School
He tried to get his mate and fraudster Owen Patterson off the hook
He “sympathised” with Chris Pincher
He’s overseen the loss of important funds for Lichfield TWICE.
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”
This government is the most corrupt in history!
Elected on false promises, Truss & Kwarteng broke the country with their total lack of intelligence & self importance the banks had to step in to save pensions their narcissistic nature plunged the country into misery & despair!
Johnson continues to get richer by the day!
John Glen Minister for the treasury can plough many billions into HS2 but none for our Precious NHS.
Sunak a multi millionaire hasn’t a clue good grief he had a private jet fly a relatively short distance the other day at what cost to the taxpayer!
Steve Barclay & cronies want to sack nurses!
We must ask ourselves why all these strikes?
Could it be the fact many people cannot afford the higher mortgage & rent increases, higher energy bills, food & many more relating to every day living!
It is beginning to feel like only the poor pay taxes!
Time we stopped paying MPs expenses.
What we need is a new MP.
Someone like Nadhim Zahawi who’d be more creative with fund-raising to pay for projects like this.