What could be politely described as a robust debate broke out at a Staffordshire Moorlands District Council this week thanks to a disagreement over Leek's upcoming Scooterfest and their use of the town's Trestle Market.

The district council's Conservative leader, Cllr Sybil Ralphs, faced questions on the topic from several Labour councillors at a Service Delivery Overview & Scrutiny Panel on Wednesday (March 16th).

Attracting hundreds of scooters into Leek town centre, Scooterfest is one of the most popular events in Leek, with thousands of people attending to browse and enjoy the huge array of scooters that descend on the town.

And the event, which is due to take place on May 22nd, is even more highly anticipated for 2022, as it was cancelled in both 2021 and 2020 due to Coronavirus restrictions, making it the first Scooterfest in Leek since 2019.

However, it has also been the topic of controversy after the Conservative-controlled district council told Scooterfest they would no longer be able to use Leek's Trestle Market as part of the day due to the building undergoing refurbishments - a decision that has been opposed by the council's Labour group.

Cllr Keith Hoptroff was one of the Labour councillors to ask about Scooterfest and the Trestle Market at this week's meeting.

He said: "What is the time scale for work on the Trestle Market alterations and when is this due to start?"

Cllr Ralphs, who was speaking at the meeting via webcast, said: "You've got the answer, not me. It's in your hands and the hand of the Labour group. The work is part of the regeneration of the town centre. We are doing it to modernise the market and bring in more traders.

"We have complied with your requests and the next report comes to Cabinet at the end of the month. I'm reliably told another online petition will be launched because you want to hold a yearly Scooterfest. Scooterfest are lovely people and they are taken aback with the furore. You, Cllr Hoptroff are holding this project up."

Cllr Hoptroff then asked why Scooterfest had been refused access to the Trestle Market, considering Scooterfest was the most attended one-day event in Leek's calendar.

Cllr Ralphs replied: "The organisers were told last year that no future events could be held in the Trestle Market. We have offered them the Churnet Room in Moorlands House. The Labour group are the ones placing all these obstacles in the way. The whole thing can go ahead unrestricted. They won't be able to use that building but it won't make any difference."

Cllr Linda Malyon also submitted a question, asking: "Could you tell me why or if it is true that Scooter Fest cannot use the Trestle Market when the event happens on 22/5/22?"

She added: "The Churnet Room isn't really suitable. There will be hundreds of scooters and people crossing the road."

Cllr Ralphs said: "There is a pedestrian crossing. [The refurbishments to the Trestle Market] must go ahead because it's an integral part of the regeneration of Leek, and when it's done I hope all these people who are highly critical will say it was a job well done. We are doing it to increase footfall, bring the market into the 21st century and provide a more interesting shopping experience."

The discussion then began to devolve into an argument about how many people the Trestle Market could hold, and whether Scooterfest being able to use the Trestle Market would impact tourism in Leek.

Cllr Malyon asked if the council could consider giving permission for Scooterfest to use the Trestle Market as a one-off for 2022, to which Cllr Ralphs replied: "This is getting ridiculous. You're not telling me that because the Trestle market isn't available to Scooterfest that the whole thing won't come to Leek, that is just scaremongering."

Cllr Lytton Page also submitted a question, asking: "What process does SMDC follow when it receives a request from a community organisation to use Council facilities and buildings? Please could the response be provided in writing so that the Panel have this minuted?"

No written response was provided, with a verbal response instead being provided, and Cllr Page also asked why this was the case.

Cllr Ralphs questioned Cllr Page's knowledge as a councillor, saying: "How long have you been a councillor and you still don't know who to contact? After several years, not to know who to contact is quite surprising. I don't think it's an appropriate question. There are not many facilities to hire from the council because most is car parking, but you would go to Assets."

She added that a written response was not provided because the meeting's webcast could act as the minutes.

The full webcast of the discussion and the rest of the meeting can be viewed on the district council's website.