Digital noticeboard 'a waste of money'

The digital board outside All Saints Church currently does not work

A digital noticeboard in Holbeach has been described as a “waste of money” by the parish council.

The board, which cost £7,245, was purchased using funding from central government.

However, the chairman of Holbeach Parish Council said the annual upkeep costs, of nearly £800, “could be better spent elsewhere.”

South Holland District Council said it consulted all parish councils on what to spend the government funding on.

Rick Stevens, chair of Holbeach Parish Council, 67, described the board as the “white elephant” of the town.

“It is quite embarrassing. It should never have been put there in the first place. We do not want it,” Mr Stevens said.

Councillor Stevens said the board was widely disliked by people in the town

Mr Stevens said the parish council did not realise the board would cost nearly £800 a year to maintain.

“It is an absolute waste of money. We could spend £800 elsewhere.

“The board itself is totally unstable and it will only get worse,” he said.

Councillor Sophie Hutchinson from South Holland District Council said she used to manage the board on behalf of the parish council.

“During this time, we had no issues and the board was well used by local groups and businesses,” Ms Hutchinson said.

The board was purchased using Welcome Back funding from central government

Sue Thorogood described the board as a "waste of space"

Sue Thorogood, 60, from Holbeach said the board was “useful when it was working but now it is a waste of space and money.”

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