I’m absolutely shocked and concerned about what is happening at Maltby Sports Ground. Last week, a number of concerned constituents raised the issue that the charity which operates the sports ground had closed down, and on the same day, transferred funds to other sports grounds and charities outside of Maltby. As far as I know, nobody in the local community was consulted about this.

I immediately wrote to the Chief Executive of CISWO – who oversee the relevant charity. Remarkably, it emerged that they were unaware.

They have reassured me that the sports ground remains secure and looked after for the benefit of Maltby and the community.

However, we know that the ground needs investment urgently. And the notion that we can afford for money raised at the sports ground to be transferred out of Maltby is for the birds.

I’m genuinely shocked and angry about what has happened.

Today, I’ve written to the Sports Minister and the Charity Commission – and will be raising this issue in Parliament.

We don’t, at this stage, know how much money has been transferred and the full details – but I’m determined to get to the truth and find out what on earth has been happening.

Whilst I will be looking into this matter my main focus at this time is assisting the effort to find funds to do up the pavilion at the ground – securing its long term future. I’m really pleased to hear Maltby Town Council and CISWO are making progress in this area.