The petition of residents of the constituency of Broadland and Fakenham,
Declares that local people in the Broadland and Fakenham constituency require access to adequate facilities to conduct regular exercise; further declares that since the closure of the swimming pool in Fakenham there has been limited facilities in the area; and notes that the Treasury has been instructed to review the £9.9 million previously committed to fund a new swimming pool.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to consider the resource needs of the new swimming pool and 3G sports pitch in Fakenham, Norfolk, whilst undertaking its funding review, and to retain the funding previously committed.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Jerome Mayhew, Official Report, 24 October 2024; Vol. 755, c. 498 .]
[P003014]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock):
I would like to thank the hon. Member for Broadland and Fakenham (Jerome Mayhew) for raising this issue on behalf of his constituents.
The Government are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to, and benefit from, quality sport and physical activity opportunities.
Sport and physical activity are central to delivering the Government’s health mission. Providing local access to high quality, accessible community facilities provides important places for people of all ages to be active, as well as vital social spaces and community hubs.
The £4.8 billion levelling-up fund was launched by the previous Government. North Norfolk district council was initially granted £9.875 million by the previous Government under the levelling-up fund, and NNDC had been waiting for confirmation of the funding, pending spending review decisions this autumn.
The Government have now confirmed funding, meaning that the £9.875 million awarded to NNDC for the Fakenham leisure and sports hub is secure, and the council will be able to proceed with the project.
This funding has been granted to build new facilities at Fakenham sports centre, including a 25-metre public swimming pool and improved outdoor sports facilities. Funding will also enable the district council to develop a full-size 3G all-weather artificial grass pitch for competitive sports and outdoor sports changing facilities on the Trap Lane sports ground owned by Fakenham town council.