Morecambe MP calls for government investigation into £1m 'Frontierland tax'

The MP for Morecambe says he's asked for a 'task force' to investigate Morecambe Town Council over their controversial 'Frontierland tax'.

David Morris said he'd been inundated with messages from angry residents after the town council announced plans to raise £1m from Council Tax to kickstart a community project on the derelict former theme park in Morecambe.

Mr Morris called it a "ludicrous idea".

But Councillor Bill Jackson, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Morecambe Town Council, said Mr Morris' calls for an investigation were "shameful and uncalled for".

Councillor Jackson said if the town council hadn't stepped in over the future of Frontierland it would have been "a disaster for the town".

The MP's comments came as controversy continues over the town council's plan for a 231 per cent rise in their share of Council Tax for Morecambe residents.

This has been dubbed 'the Frontierland tax' by County Councillor Charlie Edwards, Mr Morris' fellow Conservative and also an opponent of the idea.

The money from taxpayers would create a £1m 'Community Action Fund' to bid for a "sustainable community project" on the Frontierland site with "indoor and outdoor spaces and leisure facilities".

The former Wild West theme park has been closed since 2000 and the land on Marine Road West has been derelict and unused for years.

The land is owned by Lancaster City Council, who have asked for 'expressions of interest' from potential developers so they can decide what the site can be used for.

Morecambe Town Council has put in their own expression of interest and is setting up a 'community forum' of Morecambe residents to push the project forward.

But opponents of the idea say it's "double taxation" because Lancaster City Council already paid £3.1m to buy the land.

Mr Morris said: "It simply can't be right that council taxpayers in Morecambe are being asked for an extra £1m to fund purchase of land which taxpayers already own and which is not even for sale.

"This astronomical increase must be one of the highest increases in the country.

"I have written to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove MP, to ask him to send in a task force to Morecambe Town Council to investigate this irregularity."

Morecambe Town Council has said they are not intending to try to buy the site for £1m, but rather use the fund to "mobilise the community to attract further funding", and that they carried out a residents survey before making the decision.

Councillor Bill Jackson, leader of the Liberal Democrats on the town council (pictured below), hit back at Mr Morris following his comments.

"We’d happily welcome a task force to show the fantastic work we’re doing improving our town for local people," said Councillor Jackson.

"Three years ago the town council received a damning audit report highlighting bad management and questionable working practices. The town council had not raised its precept for 10 years and as a result it could not afford to offer any meaningful services to our town. Residents were prepared to do away with the town council because it wasn’t working for them.

"Fast forward to today. Morecambe Town Council was recently awarded a coveted Gold Standard Award - the only one in Lancashire. The council is now really making a big difference to our town.

"This improvement coincides with the Liberal Democrat representation on the council increasing from just one to becoming the largest group over this period.

"For many years our town was blighted by rubbish strewn roads and back streets. The town council’s street rangers along with dedicated volunteers have started to make a real difference and this will continue.

"Morecambe Town Council have also been busy in bringing high profile events to the town. The town council organised and hosted the biggest ever picnic for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and organised the fantastic Mars exhibition at the Winter Gardens (pictured below). Residents tell us that they are delighted with the work we are doing in supporting our communities.

"So I ask you Mr Morris, do you expect our street rangers, weeding service and events organisers to provide their services for free and to do their task without equipment? Or are you saying that having a clean, weed free town with entertainment for the residents is not important?

"Frontierland has been a massive blot on the landscape in a strategic part of our seafront for 24 years, It is wasted empty space that residents want to see transformed.

"The site is now owned by Lancaster City Council who are not going to develop it themselves but are looking for third parties to express an interest in how it is developed. The West End has been cut off from the rest of the town by a derelict Frontierland resulting in a lack of footfall and lack of investment. By transforming the site, we aim to help the West End to regain its former glory.

"Morecambe Town Council has done comprehensive residents surveys asking how they would like the site to be developed. It is clear that indoor/outdoor community spaces with leisure facilities was the favoured option.

"Morecambe Town Council submitted an expression of interest to Lancaster City Council on the basis of residents’ feedback.

"If Morecambe Town Council had not submitted this proposal for community use then the site would most likely be developed for pure economic gain, such as a housing estate or a car park.

"This would have been a disaster for the town, in particular for the West End which would remain cut off from the rest of the town.

"How Frontierland is developed is of vital importance. Whatever is decided now will be around for generations to come so we need to get it right for our residents. 

"Your suggestion that the town council is in need of investigation is shameful and uncalled for and shows the deepest disrespect for the town council staff who devote so much energy and commitment for the benefit of the town and its residents. Not once have you taken any interest in the workings of the town council and now you want us investigated by a Westminster task force.

"In the spirit of openness and transparency a public forum would give you the opportunity to experience the positive work that is being done in your constituency. The residents of Morecambe are working collaboratively with their town council for the future of Morecambe. It will also give you the opportunity to explain why you feel a Westminster task force needs to be brought in to investigate Morecambe Town Council."

County Councillor Charlie Edwards said Councillor Jackson's comments showed that he was "threatening to cut funding for events and weed control if we even dare to question the extra Council Tax rise".

"These amateur politicians are a threat to the growth story of Morecambe," he said.

Beyond Radio has been following this story from the beginning and here are our previous stories with all the background.

Frontierland site not up for sale says council leader as tax controversy rumbles on - Beyond Radio

£100k for festivals and highest ever staffing costs in Morecambe Town Council budget - Beyond Radio

Morecambe councillor calls for U-turn on controversial 'Frontierland tax' - Beyond Radio

Morecambe Town Council to raise £1m from taxpayers in attempt to acquire Frontierland - Beyond Radio