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Council chiefs slammed for "balloon race" that's part of
COUNCILLORS have come under fire for their latest idea to boost Dewsbury’s regeneration ... balloons.
The Regeneration Board hopes local people will write what’s good about Dewsbury on a card and attach it to a balloon.
The one that travels furthest will win a helicopter ride – over Dewsbury town centre.
The idea, launched by regeneration board chairman Coun Paul Kane this week, has been roundly shot down.
Tory Simon Reevell, who hopes to become the town’s next MP, dismissed the stunt as “another feeble idea which will be blown away in the wind.”
Coun Karam Hussain (Lib Dem, Dewsbury West) attacked the regeneration board as a waste of time and said: “This is more hot air which will make no difference to regeneration in the town.
“If balloons were the answer I would buy 1,000 out of my own pocket.
“Dewsbury is struggling, shops are closing and all the regeneration board can do is talk and hand out balloons.”
Mr Reevell, who aims to oust Labour’s Shahid Malik at the next General Election, called for a strategic plan to restore the town centre.
“What we need is a proper strategic view taken for Dewsbury, not pathetic attempts to mask reality.
“Balloons are fine at your flagship event but when the balloons ARE your flagship event it smacks of desperation.”
Mr Reevell said what was needed was real help for town centre businesses and incentives for traders to move in.
“We need a cut in business rates, subsidies or reductions in rents and other measures such as not imposing National Insurance on start-up businesses,” he said.
“I have worked in Dewsbury over the last 20 years and I have seen what has happened to the town. I talk to people who want it back the way it was with department stores up Daisy Hill, but that’s gone for good.
“Dewsbury has some fantastic Victorian architecture and strengths to build on.
“We have to accept that some people want to go to the White Rose Centre or Meadowhall, so we have to provide something in Dewsbury that people want.
“We need incentives to encourage businesses to relocate into the town centre. That brings people and spending power. They all want to buy a sandwich on a lunchtime.
“What about Kirklees moving some of its offices from Huddersfield to Dewsbury?
“If you can commute to Huddersfield, you can commute to Dewsbury.
Coun Hussain said the regeneration board was a smokescreen to hide failure.
“The Labour government and the Labour MP (Mr Malik) have left Dewsbury to rot and the Labour-controlled council is trying to pretend Dewsbury is a priority. They are deceiving the public.”
Coun Hussain said Labour’s success in securing £85 million for a new college in Huddersfield while Dewsbury missed out was a prime example of how the town had been let down.
Coun Kane (Lab, Dewsbury East) said the balloon release was about changing the image of the town and the project was about getting people talking and joining the regeneration debate.
“We’re hoping that releasing balloons carrying messages from the people who live here and know it best will start to change people’s views of Dewsbury.
“It’s not about bricks and mortar, it’s about social regeneration.
“If you asked me if there was one thing I would do tomorrow it would be the Pioneer building, but there are so many hurdles.
“We’ll take the criticism over this but if it gets people talking it’s done its job.”
Coun Eric Firth (Lab, Dewsbury East), also a member of the regeneration board, said the balloon winner would “scoop an experience to remember.”
Balloons will be released at the entrance to Dewsbury Market on Wednesday and Saturday (11am-2pm).
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Latest Headlines
Have your say on this! -- Have a Story? Contact the Editor
Council chiefs slammed for "balloon race" that's part of
COUNCILLORS have come under fire for their latest idea to boost Dewsbury’s regeneration ... balloons.
The Regeneration Board hopes local people will write what’s good about Dewsbury on a card and attach it to a balloon.
The one that travels furthest will win a helicopter ride – over Dewsbury town centre.
The idea, launched by regeneration board chairman Coun Paul Kane this week, has been roundly shot down.
Tory Simon Reevell, who hopes to become the town’s next MP, dismissed the stunt as “another feeble idea which will be blown away in the wind.”
Coun Karam Hussain (Lib Dem, Dewsbury West) attacked the regeneration board as a waste of time and said: “This is more hot air which will make no difference to regeneration in the town.
“If balloons were the answer I would buy 1,000 out of my own pocket.
“Dewsbury is struggling, shops are closing and all the regeneration board can do is talk and hand out balloons.”
Mr Reevell, who aims to oust Labour’s Shahid Malik at the next General Election, called for a strategic plan to restore the town centre.
“What we need is a proper strategic view taken for Dewsbury, not pathetic attempts to mask reality.
“Balloons are fine at your flagship event but when the balloons ARE your flagship event it smacks of desperation.”
Mr Reevell said what was needed was real help for town centre businesses and incentives for traders to move in.
“We need a cut in business rates, subsidies or reductions in rents and other measures such as not imposing National Insurance on start-up businesses,” he said.
“I have worked in Dewsbury over the last 20 years and I have seen what has happened to the town. I talk to people who want it back the way it was with department stores up Daisy Hill, but that’s gone for good.
“Dewsbury has some fantastic Victorian architecture and strengths to build on.
“We have to accept that some people want to go to the White Rose Centre or Meadowhall, so we have to provide something in Dewsbury that people want.
“We need incentives to encourage businesses to relocate into the town centre. That brings people and spending power. They all want to buy a sandwich on a lunchtime.
“What about Kirklees moving some of its offices from Huddersfield to Dewsbury?
“If you can commute to Huddersfield, you can commute to Dewsbury.
Coun Hussain said the regeneration board was a smokescreen to hide failure.
“The Labour government and the Labour MP (Mr Malik) have left Dewsbury to rot and the Labour-controlled council is trying to pretend Dewsbury is a priority. They are deceiving the public.”
Coun Hussain said Labour’s success in securing £85 million for a new college in Huddersfield while Dewsbury missed out was a prime example of how the town had been let down.
Coun Kane (Lab, Dewsbury East) said the balloon release was about changing the image of the town and the project was about getting people talking and joining the regeneration debate.
“We’re hoping that releasing balloons carrying messages from the people who live here and know it best will start to change people’s views of Dewsbury.
“It’s not about bricks and mortar, it’s about social regeneration.
“If you asked me if there was one thing I would do tomorrow it would be the Pioneer building, but there are so many hurdles.
“We’ll take the criticism over this but if it gets people talking it’s done its job.”
Coun Eric Firth (Lab, Dewsbury East), also a member of the regeneration board, said the balloon winner would “scoop an experience to remember.”
Balloons will be released at the entrance to Dewsbury Market on Wednesday and Saturday (11am-2pm).
Have your say on this! -- Have a Story? Contact the Editor
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