Commenting on Lichfield’s failure to win funding for a new swimming pool and leisure complex in the Levelling Up Fund 2^nd Round, Michael Fabricant says:

“I am very disappointed that Lichfield was unsuccessful in obtaining levelling up funding for the replacement leisure centre and swimming pool.  I am told that flaws in the application meant it did not even reach the minister’s desk for consideration;  it was ruled out by Department officials as not meeting the required criteria.  Consequently, ministers did not even get a chance to consider the bid.  As with the levelling up first round, ministers have offered to provide face to face training to council officers in how to make a successful bid and I hope this will be taken advantage of.  Meanwhile, I understand the Council are now considering other forms of funding.

“Another consideration must have been that Lichfield District Council covers a relatively small population and already has a leisure centre in Burntwood.  That is not to say we do not need to replace the old centre in Lichfield, but a more convincing argument needed to be given in the bid to the Department.

“A third levelling up round will soon be announced and I hope, if Lichfield District acquire the expertise, it will be third time lucky for this or another project.”