Following last week’s Full Council, Liberal Democrat Councillor for the East Marsh Steve Beasant told one of his colleagues:

Our Labour-run Council is letting down the children of our Borough, over 200 names were presented to a meeting of the Portfolio Holder and now Labour are just playing delaying tactics.

Our Children are more important than this, they need somewhere to play and that is why I will continue with this battle – I will now go back to the school and ask them for their views.

The Grimsby Telegraph reported yesterday:

Pupils at St Mary’s Catholic Primary Academy, in Wellington Street, presented a petition to the council back in November (2013), asking for a road to be closed for three hours each month to allow them to play safely.

A report outlining possible suggestions was requested within two months, but to date has still not been produced.

And Councillor Steve Beasant (Lib Dem, East Marsh), who supported the petitioners, claimed the matter had been “dragging on”.

At Thursday night’s full council meeting, he asked environment portfolio holder Councillor David Watson how many play zones had been introduced on a pilot basis in North East Lincolnshire.

Mr Watson replied: “It was discussed at the last meeting.

“So far there are no pilot schemes in the borough.

“I have requested a formal report which will look at how play zones can be considered on a temporary basis.”

In response, Mr Beasant said: “It was said in the previous minutes that the scheme would come in before the end of the summer.

“It looks like it’s dragging on a long time. Can the portfolio holder tell me when it’s actually going to happen?”

Mr Watson said: “There has been a change of portfolios. If Councillor Beasant would like to come up with some areas I can add them to the list.”