Why Labour can't be trusted

Wednesday, 26 September 2007

This is why we said "Labour can't be trusted"

During the May Council elections we gave reasons why Labour can't be trusted. While the Lib Dem-led Coalition ran the Council from 2003 to 2007, Labour promised everything to everyone and practicised opposition for opposition's sake. The Labour leader, Cllr George Dunning jumped on every bandwagon and even opposed what his own Labour administration had started or done before 2003.

The Evening Gazette's 'You Say' column was filled with letters supporting Labour. We're not sure whether some of their suporters really exist (and here and here).

The Lib Dem-led Coalition between 2003 -2007 took many difficult decisions that lifted the Council from 'Fair' rating by Government Inspectors when we took over in 2003 and to 4-star Excellent' within three years. It's record we're proud.

Here's the evidence that shows why Labour have broken election promises and made significant 'U-turns'.

Coatham Links

Just prior to the 2003 elections Councillor George Dunning launched a multi-million pound project to develop Redcarby appointing Persimmon Homes as the preferred developer. But Cllr Dunning's soon changed his tune over the scheme. A small group of protesters were hardly discouraged by him. But no sooner had Labour won back control, but they were all for it (and here and here).

Closure of Eston Town Hall and James Finegan Hall

The Coalition were faced with the task of what to do about the Poulson designed 1960's Town Hall at Eston and Finegan Hall next door. The previous Labour administration had cut the Council's maintenance budget years before, to prop up their "no compulsory redundancy" policy and claw their way back from having the second highest Council tax in the land.

Both buildings were in need of major investment and are unsuitable for 21st century local government.

The Coalition decided it was much more economical to reduce administrative costs by starting 'remote working' using new technology and to focus its activities in Redcar. The Audit Commission had criticised the Council for the inefficient set up and poor leadership under Labour. So action was needed.

We promised that a brand new replacement for Finegan Hall to be built before the Hall was closed. But Cllr Dunning backed a group of dancers in opposing our plan. Over and over again he was reported as saying: "Our position is that when we get back control in 2007 we will keep open the James Finegan Hall and refurbish it along with the Town Hall." Read more here and here.

Now they are doing what the Coalition had planned. It's a complete U-turn. It is interesting that they held the Cabinet meeting in Saltburn, far away from Eston and made sure the decision was make under confidentiality conditions behind closed doors.

Don't trust them when they say we left these building in a mess. They had years to do the job and didn't. Don't trust them when they say we would have left Eston without a Council presence. We said people would still have access locally to Council services.

Councillors Pay

In opposition Cllr Dunning went on and on about Councillors allowances complaining that Redcar & Cleveland's allowances were higher than other neighbouring Councils. But at yesterday's Cabinet, he said, "Tees Valley Councils need to catch up with us" as they voted to go on with the current system. Cllr Dunning said, 'Even what we pay councillor now is still not going to get enough people to stand for the Council.' One of his colleagues said, 'I couldn't agree more.' What they say in opposition is again not what they say when they are running the Council.

Land at Church Lane

Councillor Dunning and his deputy Sheelagh Clarke led the opposition the Coalition Cabinet's plan to sell a small strip of a land alongside the Town Hall to Tees Valley Housing for affordable housing for people moving out of the South Bank renewal area, whilst at the same time preserving a substantial area of green space.

Labour twice managed to win the vote to reject the proposals at Planning Committee, but Tees Valley Housing's appeal was upheld by the Government Inspector. On taking control Labour could still have not sold the land to stop the houses being built. Councillor Dunning's letter promised that this is what he would do.

But yesterday, again under confidentiality conditions, the Labour Cabinet voted to hand over the land and allow the houses to be built. They have achieved exactly the same outcome as the Coalition Cabinet wanted. The new Labour Cabinet have shown once again that they say one thing in opposition and do exactly the opposite in control. They owe the residents who trusted them to do what they promised an apology.

Those who supported them must now be regretting that they did. We told you so - we said Labour can't be trusted. It shows what can happen when a tiny number of votes - 2 here, 9 there - change how the Council is run.