North Lynn Borough Councillor Austen Moore - Updates For Residents July 2026
- Austen Moore
- 56 minutes ago
- 4 min read
One of the most important parts of being a Borough Councillor is not just attending meetings, but asking difficult questions, challenging decisions, and ensuring that public money is spent wisely.
Over the past few weeks I have continued to do exactly that through my work attending the Corporate Performance Panel and the Environment and Community Panel.
Reviewing the Lynnsport Development and Consultant Expenditure
Earlier this year I proposed a motion to Full Council requesting a review of the expenditure on external consultants relating to the proposed £49 million Lynnsport redevelopment. Around £2 million of public money had already been spent before the scheme was ultimately considered unaffordable by the Council's Section 151 Officer. The motion was referred to the Corporate Performance Panel for detailed consideration rather than being debated by Full Council.
The Panel considered my motion at its meeting on 20 July. I have included my briefing notes below, together with a link to the meeting recording. The discussion begins at approximately 54 minutes.
While I welcomed the opportunity for the issue to be considered, I came away disappointed by the level of scrutiny. My intention was never to apportion blame, but to understand whether lessons could be learned from a project that resulted in significant expenditure before affordability concerns brought it to a halt.
During the discussion I suggested that every organisation should be willing to learn from mistakes. An officer responded that the word "mistakes" was too strong. I respectfully disagree. Every organisation, whether in the public or private sector, makes mistakes from time to time. Recognising them is not about criticism. It is about improving decision making, strengthening governance and reducing the likelihood of similar issues arising in the future. I believe residents expect that level of openness whenever substantial sums of public money are involved.
Watch the discussion, read my briefing notes and decide for yourself. In my view, the scrutiny did not reflect the significance of the issues or the level of public expenditure involved. I encourage you to watch the discussion and reach your own conclusion.
You can download the briefing notes I prepared for CPP below.
Watch the Corporate Performance Panel discussion from 54 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbhQdl4AmfY
Questioning the Commitment to Reducing Health Inequalities
I also attended the Environment and Community Panel, where I questioned officers about how the proposed Lynnsport development would deliver on its stated commitment to reducing health inequalities.
My questions focused on how success would be measured, how the Council intends to reach residents who are currently under represented in physical activity, and what evidence exists that the project will improve health outcomes for those communities most in need.
As councillors, we should ensure that major investment projects are supported by clear evidence and measurable outcomes. If public money is being invested on the basis that it will reduce health inequalities, then residents deserve to know how that will be achieved and how success will be monitored.
I have included both my questions and a link to the meeting recording so residents can hear the discussion and make up their own minds.
Read my email and questions below:
Subject: Environment and Community Panel – Questions regarding the West Norfolk Racket and Community Sports Hub Report
Dear Members of the Environment and Community Panel,
Ahead of Tuesday's meeting, I have been reviewing the report relating to the proposed West Norfolk Racket and Community Sports Hub.
I would like to make it clear that my questions are not intended to argue against the principle of the project. Rather, they relate to the evidence that underpins a number of the conclusions within the report.
As one of the Borough Councillors for North Lynn, I took particular interest in the repeated references to North Lynn residents and those living in areas of high deprivation. The report states that the Hub will help attract underrepresented groups into physical activity, increase participation amongst residents living in areas experiencing the greatest health and socioeconomic inequalities, and specifically identifies North Lynn as a community that will benefit.
These are significant and positive ambitions, and if they can be achieved they would clearly be welcomed. However, having read the report, I have been unable to identify the evidence that supports these conclusions.
For example, the report states that the project will:
attract new participants, particularly those currently underrepresented in physical activity;
increase participation amongst residents living in areas experiencing the greatest health and socioeconomic inequalities;
democratise access to racket sports for residents living in high Index of Multiple Deprivation areas such as North Lynn; and
reduce inequalities through affordable community provision.
My questions are simply:
What evidence demonstrates that residents in North Lynn and other high Index of Multiple Deprivation wards actually want additional tennis and padel facilities?
Which residents, community groups or voluntary organisations were consulted before concluding that this project would reduce health inequalities?
The report repeatedly refers to "underrepresented groups". Which specific groups are these, and what baseline data has been used to identify them?
What local evidence demonstrates that affordable racket sports increase participation amongst inactive residents, rather than simply providing additional facilities for those already participating in sport?
Has any local demand analysis, survey or community consultation been undertaken with residents living in the targeted areas?
The Equality Impact Assessment concludes that the project "will be perceived as a highly positive targeted intervention." On what evidence is that conclusion based?
Finally, should the project proceed, what measures or Key Performance Indicators will be used to demonstrate that these equality and participation objectives have actually been achieved?
As elected members, we all want to see investment deliver genuine benefits for our communities. My concern is simply that where a report makes a number of positive assertions about social impact, health inequalities and community participation, it should also clearly demonstrate the evidence upon which those conclusions are based.
I look forward to hearing the responses during the meeting.
Kind regards,
Councillor Austen Moore Borough Councillor for North Lynn
Watch my questions at the Environment and Community Panel
If you wish to see the full debate on this then you can view it on Youtube and it begins at 52 mins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPLaLz8yxDk
I believe transparency is essential in local government. Whether residents agree with my views or not, I will continue to publish my questions, motions and speeches so that everyone can see the work I am doing on their behalf and judge it for themselves.
North Lynn Borough Councillor Austen Moore
