Setting the record straight

Posted By: Dale Mulgrew
Date Posted: 13/02/2009

Councillor Ibrar Khan in his latest Councillor’s Diary asks the question why is it that we don’t have a participating arts centre to rival those on offer in our neighbouring towns?

Councillor Khan seems to be getting very forgetful these days. Back in February of last year, the Rochdale Liberal Democrats put forward our budget, which included a £100,000 feasibility study into bringing an Arts and Conference Centre to Rochdale. Councillor Khan voted directly to REMOVE this from the budget, turning his back on our plans for the development of an art centre. In fact, Labour’s alternative budget didn’t even mention the possibility of an art and conference centre. A complete betrayal to our town.

A clear lack of vision, ideas and commitment has, of course, come to be expected from the Labour Party here in Rochdale. They seem to be quite contempt to sit on the sidelines when it comes to developing Rochdale’s future, snapping away at every effort we make to move our regeneration forward in order to try and score cheap political points.

The idea for a brand new art and conference centre was originally put forward by the Liberal Democrats and it is one that we remain committed too.

Recently the second meeting of the vision group was held between myself, Leader of the Council Alan Taylor, the Council’s executive director responsible for business John Patterson, the chief executive of the Rochdale Development Agency and Craig McAteer, the Managing Director of the Link4Life cultural Trust. It was very productive and we have made clear strides towards putting our original idea into clear proposals. We will be meeting again next month and I will of course update everyone on our progress.