IT was all hands to the deck when Fenland District Council leader Alan Melton and Chief Executive Sandra Claxton went aboard the pilot boat operating from Wisbech Port.

Friday’s trip was part of Councillor Melton’s pledge to get first hand experience of services provided by the council.

Cllr Melton said: “It was absolutely brilliant. As a port authority we have responsibility for safely piloting ships into the Nene.

“We could see what is involved in the work of the port and see exactly how the tax payers money is being spent. It was not a special trip for us.

“We have invested substantial sums over the years in the port and while there has been a natural decline in commercial business we have invested in the leisure side which has been successful.”

Cllr Melton said he enjoyed having the chance to drive the boat which took him and Mrs Claxton right out into The Wash and the also saw maintenance work being carried out.

Cllr Melton and Mrs Claxton have already seen how the council’s leisure centres and bin collections work. What next? Cllr Melton said he and Mrs Claxton were prepared to tackle any job carried out by council staff. He said: “We are not afraid of getting our hands dirty. Watch this space!”