Quote Egg Banjo="Egg Banjo"Thank you for your email about the Wakefield Trinity situation. I am sure that it will be raised at the Council meeting next week and I agree with your thoughts on the provision of facilities for exercise.
As you say, this problem regarding the Wakefield Trinity ground originated some years ago, and as I was not a councillor then I can only go on what has been reported. Any information on property transactions is very difficult to obtain as Cabinet meetings concerning them are held in private and “Commercial confidentiality” prevents access.
I am aware of complaints made over the years on behalf of a resident’s group to the Council legal section, the Chief Executive, the MP, police, Ombudsman, Secretary of State and the press alleging sale by the Council of the Belle Vue ground at well below market price, and the ensuing issues. I do not see how I can make progress by repeating this, but will assist if anyone can provide ideas.
A couple of years ago I attended a meeting at the Belle Vue ground called by those who were trying to save the club, at which I offered to help as a councillor if they thought that there was any way in which pressure could be applied. I have heard nothing from them since.
On a recent current issue I have been able to have at least a temporary effect in stopping a dubious project, (at least until I am no longer a councillor), by chasing up what has gone on and airing uncomfortable facts in Council. The local press will not report it, the Local Government Ombudsman asked the Chief Executive pertinent questions, but then decided that she didn’t need the answers and has done nothing, the police fraud department won’t act without a ruling by the Secretary of State, and he ruled in favour of WMDC in spite of the evidence. Another appeal to the Ombudsman is in progress.
Even with clear evidence and lying recorded at a videoed Cabinet meeting, it seems impossible to make any progress, so unless the new Ombudsman is willing to re-open this and other historic cases, I do not hold out a lot of hope for the new Wakefield Trinity ground at Newmarket I am afraid, but I will help if I can.
Regards,
David Dews.'"
Is anyone from the trust/club able to reply to Cllr Fees, he wants a list of questions he can ask at the council meeting next week
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