This is a member post from Ben Hurren.
In her piece dated 25th January, Lisa Reeves comprehensively outlined and reviewed Cheshire East Council's draft business plan proposals for 2012/13. These proposals also formed the front page lead in the following day's Wilmslow Express – under the heading, 'Town Hall Budget Spells £21m Cuts'.
Details from this inevitably gloomy Plan, confirm serious cuts in virtually all areas for which the CEC has responsibility, including highways, waste and care provision. Redundancy costs will have to be met, Council Tax is to remain frozen and – as council leader, Wesley Fitzgerald, reminds us – "in 2010 the Chancellor announced a 25 per cent cut in Government grants to councils over four years". Clearly we are in for a period of austerity. A time to be careful, both with private and public money.
However, it is at this time that the Cheshire East Council has had a 'Town Vision' for Wilmslow. A 'Vision' which has to be promulgated and confirmed in a few short months.
In his interview with Lisa Reeves on 24th January, The CEC's Cabinet Minister for Resources (Councillor Michael Jones) said that consultants on the Town Vision Project, "have been provided with information about the financial parameters and instructed to listen. The timescale for completing this initial phase is February/March so CEC are hoping to be in a position to move forward in the spring/summer". Not a lot of time then for gauging the views of residents and other stakeholders in Wilmslow's future.
A growing number of people are becoming aware of the principal elements of the 'Vision', namely:
1. To destroy the existing Leisure Centre and then to rebuild it. This much – used facility does need modernising but the costs involved in up-grading would be a fraction of those required for tearing down and rebuilding.
2. To destroy the existing Library and then to rebuild it – possibly as part of or adjacent to the new Leisure Centre: thus creating a Lifestyle complex. The existing Library has been extensively up-graded in recent years and is particularly well sited for most local residents. Once again the potential costs involved in the proposals under consideration, would run into millions.
3. To build on Rectory Fields in order to accommodate elements 1 & 2.! Wilmslow Cricket Club could possibly be provided with an alternative 'home'. The Club would lose its current 'public exposure' and Wilmslow's centre would lose its last remaining green space.
4. To provide a 'retail opportunity' in the new town centre. No details are available but rumours (according to INCheshire magazine) include the re-siting of the Waitrose supermarket currently on Church Street. Whatever the truth, it is a disturbing thought to imagine the combined effect of increased motor and pedestrian traffic in an area so close to the Station and existing main roads.
Given current economic realities it does appear that the timing of the CEC's 'Vision' is ill-judged and it is difficult to see any over-riding benefit to Wilmslow residents.
This is a member post from Ben Hurren.
Comments
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it should have laid out its ideas much more clearly so that people can examine specific,costed proposals which could then have been amended or retained according to the response.
As it is,we are between a top -down and a bottom-up approach.As Ben states,the key factor is a background where CEC is trying to consolidate its holdings to liberate capital.Its 'vision', which may, as one of its objectives, seek to boost the town's business over the next few decades,should be seen in the first instance as a financial exercise.