Give us a vote on council move
HAVING attended the Stoke-on-Trent City Council meeting on September 6, I watched and listened in a packed public gallery to a petition by Stoke residents and traders.
They asked the council to think again and for an open debate on the proposal to move the Civic Centre to Hanley and the effect this would have on Stoke town and surrounding area.
The response by Labour leader Mohammed Pervez and the controlling Labour group was both condescending and arrogant, with the attitude of 'we know best'.
The people in the public gallery vented their feelings on what they believed to be a stitch up, and a done deal.
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A proposal by opposition councillors to send the issue to a scrutiny committee for an open debate which gives all councillors an input was firmly opposed and rejected by the Labour group.
This proposed Civic Centre relocation is a £40 million plus gamble, which is loaded with many ifs and buts.
This decision was taken by 10 councillors (the cabinet). So much for openness and democracy.
The people of this city will inherit the bill. Implications for the future of all our six towns, in particular Stoke, should make us all take note.
But it is obvious very many people in this city are being ignored or taken for granted. It is not too late for a full debate. Ask your local councillor for their views, or maybe we should press for a referendum.
TED OWEN Burslem
Comments
by focusboy
Sunday, September 23 2012, 2:24PM
“There's no way they would ever dare to give a vote on this issue because they know what the result would be. Besides, what do you think this is, a democracy?”
by truestokie
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 7:05PM
“Dizzy1960, Stalin and Hitler never let the people decide, and the same applies to this bunch of Jackboot thugs.
As for Elections, well they have shown to be as reliable as a chocalate fireguard in the hands of this lot.
Just ask those in Tunstall, and Longton.
The postal vote is a joke that is open to fraud as has been proved time and again in the past, and there was a story of a "officer of the council" actualy opening the box's prior to an election count.”
by Dizzy1960
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 5:11PM
“This Council has been criticised for years and every time the elections come up, some of us expect a change of leadership. But low and behold, we get roughly a 30% turnout and the same pack of manipulators get voted back in. Therefore, giving us a vote on this subject won't make one iota of a difference, because if we can't be bothered to turn out to vote them out, do you think the people are going to turn out and be bothered to vote regarding this subject.
Stoke-upon-Trent has been neglected for years and the Council are working in association with St. Modwen Developments Ltd in an attempt to steal land (The Victoria Ground) from the people to bind "Parliament Row", and I've yet to see any evidence of those in Stoke having concerns about that. Even their so called representatives aren't supportive.
The councils actions to deny the people a voice by refusing to place this issue before the scrutiny committee, demonstrates how we're being manipulated.
It's about time we demonstrated that we have no confidence in this council and took action to get an election before 2015. Because if we don't, this proposed move to Hanley will be finalised and therefore, any chances to regenerate this city to benefit its residents will be lost.”
by truestokie
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 11:59AM
“They will not dare to give the public a vote as they know what the answer would be.
A resounding "NO".”
by bobentilee
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 11:05PM
“i believe the reason they want to move to hanley is tesco want the spode factory but there is not enough parking so they want to buy the civic centre to pull it down to increase the car parking area i dont know why they dont change the name to tesco on trent
i have also heard mr van da earnalot has just accepted another pay increase
and they quote £40 million pound for this new hanley building i bet the cost is more than double when the real figures are published
roll on the next elections lets get rid of this shower running the council”