Fenland - what future is there?

5.00.00pm GMT Sat 23rd Jan 2010

Have Melton's Tories already forgotten about Chatteris yet again?

Is this the way to run a Council ?

Readers of our local newspapers have been shocked by recent unseemly rows at Fenland District Council. One Chatteris District Councillor was stung by our recent Focus newsletters outlining the sad history of broken Conservative promises on leisure provision in Chatteris. Focus detailed Tory lies on the subject. Apparently the councillor in question (Alan Melton) warned his Tory colleagues "Fenland District Council is dragging its feet on providing a leisure centre for Chatteris", and "we [the Conservatives] in Chatteris are facing electoral wipe out". The leaking of this email lead to the resignation of both the leader and deputy leader of Fenland District Council, and an acrimonious leadership battle followed.

Cllr Melton was elected the new Leader of Fenland District Council - but what were his first promises? To promptly advance leisure provision in Chatteris? Amazingly, no! - The Cambs Times (15 January 2010) reported "Cllr Alan Melton last night said resolutions to ongoing problems with Wisbech Market Place and the A605 through Whittlesey are his first targets as leader of Fenland District Council."

Have Melton's Tories already forgotten about Chatteris yet again?