A Spalding resident has called for a fundamental rethink of how the town is run, saying public investment must produce improvements that people can see in their daily lives.
Steven Leivers, writing in a letter published by The Spalding and South Holland Voice on September 23, said Spalding had good independent businesses, pubs, restaurants and community facilities. He also praised the people working to improve the town.
But he said boarded-up shops, rubbish, a shortage of bins, struggling businesses and limited activities for young people were creating a different picture of the town.
“We need people who are in touch with the needs of this town, and currently we do not!” he wrote.
Concerns over major projects and spending
Mr Leivers questioned whether several large-scale schemes were being developed as part of a joined-up plan. He referred to a £20 million government funding opportunity for Spalding, a £1.8 million active travel project and the Western Relief Road.
He said some residents referred to the relief road as the “road to nowhere” because part of it had been built but could not be used. He also raised concerns about public art, including cows and sheep funded through the Civic Society. He said the animal sculptures had reportedly cost around £100,000, in addition to the cost of adding plant features and removing benches.
Mr Leivers stressed that he was not opposed to improving cycling provision, but questioned whether the £1.8 million cycle path project reflected Spalding’s most urgent needs. He suggested the money might instead have supported community opportunities run by charities, community groups or other not-for-profit organisations.
His letter did not provide independent evidence for the reported cost of the sculptures or further detail about the funding arrangements for the schemes he mentioned. The comments represent his views and questions rather than findings by the newspaper.
Empty shops and services for residents
The letter argues that empty town-centre buildings should be considered as potential spaces for community services rather than being left unused. Mr Leivers suggested a council-run, non-profit life-skills centre for teenagers and adults, alongside better provision for mental health and the wider community.
He questioned what would happen if the traditional retail model was no longer working, warning that the alternatives could be more bookmakers and more empty shops. He said the town needed to think differently about how existing buildings could be used.
He also linked empty buildings with concerns frequently discussed in Spalding, including young people, mental health, homelessness and community safety. His proposal was to consider whether those issues could be addressed together through the reuse of vacant premises.
A longer-term vision for Spalding
Mr Leivers said Spalding should aim to become “the best town in the UK” within 10 years. He acknowledged that the town might have lower budgets than other places and could be starting from a disadvantage, but argued that this made creative thinking more important.
He called for local communities, businesses and organisations to be involved, and asked people to contribute to improving the town. He also urged those in charge to change the way they work, saying the current approach was not producing the results residents wanted.
The letter raised questions about council tax as well. Mr Leivers said his household had paid more than £280 a month over the past four years. He acknowledged that council tax is divided between different authorities and services, but said residents were entitled to ask whether they were receiving the best possible value.
He said residents could see major schemes being delivered, millions being announced and projects being discussed without always understanding how they fitted into a broader plan. Rather than being told that responsibility was divided between organisations, he wanted decision-makers to explain what Spalding should look and feel like in five or 10 years.
His questions included how empty buildings would be brought back into use, where children and young people could go, how existing businesses could be supported, how the town could be made cleaner and more attractive, and how public investment could lead to visible improvements.
“Spalding has the people, businesses, community groups and opportunities to be a really good town,” Mr Leivers wrote. He said he did not want residents to look back in another five or 10 years and conclude that millions had been spent without fixing the problems they saw every day.