Councillor ‘disappointed’ after Spalding Town Forum told not to organise more events without South Holland District Council approval

A councillor says it is ‘despicable and disgusting’ that complaints over social media have resulted in a town body no longer being able to organise events without approval.

Spalding Town Forum was reminded that its ‘terms of reference’ state that ideas and proposals for events need to be signed off by the relevant South Holland District Council portfolio holder - which has been branded an ‘unsound decision’ by Coun Ingrid Sheard.

This comes weeks after the forum’s Ayscofreeze was forced to be cancelled due to the weather - which did prompt some backlash over social media from from people who were disappointed with the last minute cancellation.

The forum will now not be holding a planned movie screening at the South Holland Centre. This was organised after Spalding Grammar School pupils said they couldn’t attended showings during the day and aimed to promote the centre’s use among younger people..

It is not clear what the future holds for the water day which was proposed by forum member Coun James Le Sage to promote the importance of the River Welland, or the return of Spalding Raft Race in 2026 by Coun Mark Le Sage.

Coun Sheard ended up the debate by saying: “I think it is really disappointing that in recent weeks, one event that had to be cancelled due to the weather seems to have brought about the fact that we will no longer be able to hold events.

“I think it is really sad and detrimental to the public who have enjoyed events in the past. We brought nearly 3,000 people to Ayscoughfee during Ayscofest.

“I think it is a really unsound decision and I certainly think there’s something more behind it other than just the fact that Spalding town forum has documentation in place.

“I think it is such a big shame and I’ve had a lot of people come to me to say what a shame about Ayscofreeze and it was. And unfortunately a few people on social medial have now spoilt it for an awful lot of people. I just think it’s despicable and disgusting and that’s just my personal opinion.”

At the start of Wednesday’s meeting, democratic services manager and deputy returning officer Rhonda Booth reminded members of the forum’s terms of reference - which do not allow the group to set up events in its own right.

The forum has no decision making powers but is able to make recommendations to the council with regards to the Spalding Special Expenses account and was told on Wednesday that ideas and proposals for events need to be signed off by a portfolio holder.

Coun Sheard questioned why the forum suddenly needed this clarification as it had been organising events for the last 18 months.

Ms Booth replied: “It is fair to say there has been some miscommunication, some misunderstanding over the past 18 months. We had a discussion with the chairman and requested that it get put on an agenda for clarity. This is how we will be working going forward.”

Coun Sheard questioned if something had changed stating that the forum had been asked to organise the Coronation celebrations in May 2023 and to take on the running of the Remembrance Parades.

Ms Booth said she was not aware of information on the Coronation or aware of the decisions of the remembrance parades.

Forum chairman Rob Gibson told the meeting that he had just found that there was a portfolio holder who is in charge of the town forum and that they needed to ask for permission. But he was then told by Ms Booth that there was no portfolio holder which covers the forum.

He later stated: “That is slightly different to what I have been told. I have been told that there is a portfolio holder above the town forum and it’s to go through him. It just seems to be crossed wires all over this.”

The council has clarified to us that the ‘item was included on the agenda to reconfirm the role of the forum’.

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