Gratifying as it is to see Labour party branches belatedly conclude the same as so many of East Cleveland’s residents about Redcar & Cleveland Council’s performance, there are fundamental issues at stake.
Surely the community’s needs have been overlooked in denying Earthbeat theatre’s bid for a Community Asset Transfer of Guisborough’s Registry Office? If denying the community a theatre (and cinema), denying the performers a home and endangering Guisborough’s existing pubs and cafes meets the needs of the community, then we are living in a parallel universe.
Readers can judge for themselves. The Council’s Scrutiny Board minutes: http://tinyurl.com/scrutinyboard (available at time of writing) quote the Council Leader and colleagues on page 3: ‘If the wider social benefits were not outlined in a bid then they could not be taken into account.’ Readers will note multiple mentions of the social benefits in Earthbeat’s bid: http://www.atheatreforguisborough.co.uk/4.html .
I recommend the Council’s leadership use the ‘Find’ function: searching the word ‘social’ in the bid will identify the points evidently missed previously, e.g. ‘The venue will provide a much needed social resource for the people of Guisborough and East Cleveland . We will consult with local people and stage events that they want to see.’
Will Goodhand
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland