The previous skatepark facility located at Stimpson’s Piece was closed and removed in 2022 on safety grounds owing to persistent rust damage to the metal ramps.
 
Paul Mitchell (pictured above), who has resigned from the council and also as its chair, said insufficient steps had been taken to consult the wider community of Reepham and to allocate £25,000 of Reepham taxpayers’ money towards a “ridiculously expensive” skatepark that will require further funds to be found from elsewhere and be used by a relatively small number of youngsters.
 
Earlier estimates to replace the skatepark were reported to be around £100,000.
 
The decision, made at last Wednesday’s meeting of the Stimpson’s Piece Charity, of which the town council is the sole trustee, approved the skatepark replacement, although its location has yet to be determined.
 
The subsequent town council meeting agreed to assist with grant funding and to make a sizeable financial contribution – money that had been “ring-fenced” for repairs to the churchyard wall, although this responsibility has now been transferred to Broadland District Council.
 
Expressing concern that his fellow councillors had not properly considered the impact of their decision, Mr Mitchell, who was unable to attend the meeting following a hospital operation, said: “I am not against the replacement of the skatepark and if, after proper consultation with the Reepham community, it was proven to be the highest priority, I would have supported it.
 
“However, I feel that, as a large undertaking by the town council/trustee requiring grants to the sum of £150,000 or more, plus £25,000 of council tax payers’ money, insufficient steps have been taken to decide on priorities for any grant application and to assess and mitigate the significant risks, financial or otherwise.”
 
Two other councillors – Jenny Harding and Mark Lester – also resigned following the meeting; others are understood to be considering their position on the council.
 
In a Letter to the Editor, Mr Mitchell said the town council, as the trustee of Stimpson’s Piece, could consider bidding for a grant to make improvements to the recreation ground that would benefit far more people, such as improvements to the land drainage and modernisation of the children’s play area, as well as improving accessibility in the town generally for people with disabilities.
 
Mr Mitchell also said the skatepark lobbyists have been “loud and, at times, offensive to councillors”, seeking to achieve their aims by “bullying tactics to get others to do the work”.
 
He added that the decision was “poorly researched” and “naïve” and reported “unacceptable behaviour and offensive comments shown by many of those who attended the meeting last Wednesday evening and, prior to that, on social media”.
 
Mr Mitchell, who has been chair of Reepham Town Council since 2020 following the “Plantergate” affair, joined the council in 2018, initially to lobby against the developments on Stony Lane and the old station yard. He is a former headteacher, having worked in senior positions in the Norfolk education system.
 
See our previous stories:

• Recreation ground set for new outdoor skatepark
• Market Place planters finally removed
• Town council elects new chair and vice chair