Thursday 6th September saw the Croydon Council Planning Committee unanimously approve the Arena scheme again.
The Planning Committee Councillors were Councillors Mogul, Mansell, Khan, Scott, Winbourne, Gatland, Wright, Osland, Hopley and Clancey.
Councillor Winbourne is a Fairfield Ward Councillor but had no problem voting for it, indeed she is quoted as saying:
"My ward has lots of concerns, however it brings much needed regeneration to the Ward"
Her view is at variance with the citizens of Croydon and indeed certain other councillors who are publicly opposing the Arena.
Addiscombe Councillor, Andrew Price spoke eloquently and summed up the objections from; local Addiscombe councillors, Andrew Pelling MP, Warehouse Theatre, Network Railway. He pleaded with the committee not to endorse this application.
Councillors Mansell, Scott, and Clancy all commented on the welcome addition of the Warehouse Theatre to the plans. However, they fail to recognise that it is still an inadequate proposal that is not capable of delivering the theatre a sustainable future.
Why does the ward councillor back the Arena, when there is clearly so much opposition to the Arena?
Democracy in action!
Showing posts with label Andrew Price. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andrew Price. Show all posts
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Friday, 31 August 2007
Council Ignores Citizens of Croydon
Councillor Andrew Price is quoted in today's Croydon Advertiser, on the subject of the council's much derided plans for their unwanted and unloved arena.
Quote:
"We've been overwhelmed by how many people have replied and the strength of feeling there is against the arena. The results show that over many years the people of Croydon have been ignored by the council."
The Advertiser also talks about the survey carried out by Councillor Price and his colleagues, the results of which were featured on this site last Sunday.
I would, at this stage, have liked to have said that the strength of feeling against the arena should come as no surprise to those in the council who are championing it.
However, since the council have never bothered to ask for the views of the citizens of Croydon about the arena (even though they misleadingly claim that they have) it may well come as a "surprise" to them.
That being said the council do visit this site (and www.croydoniscrap.com) regularly, where the arguments for the arena have been soundly demolished over the past few years. Therefore it is "disappointing", and rather surprising, that they have continued to push ahead with this unwanted and unloved development.
Quote:
"We've been overwhelmed by how many people have replied and the strength of feeling there is against the arena. The results show that over many years the people of Croydon have been ignored by the council."
The Advertiser also talks about the survey carried out by Councillor Price and his colleagues, the results of which were featured on this site last Sunday.
I would, at this stage, have liked to have said that the strength of feeling against the arena should come as no surprise to those in the council who are championing it.
However, since the council have never bothered to ask for the views of the citizens of Croydon about the arena (even though they misleadingly claim that they have) it may well come as a "surprise" to them.
That being said the council do visit this site (and www.croydoniscrap.com) regularly, where the arguments for the arena have been soundly demolished over the past few years. Therefore it is "disappointing", and rather surprising, that they have continued to push ahead with this unwanted and unloved development.
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Councillors Come Out Against The Arena
I am pleased to see that conservative councillor Maria Garcia, yesterday, publicly came out against the arena development (just about ruling it out) on her site:
"I am no fan of the current proposed arena."
It is puzzling that, aside from yesterday's public announcement, she has made no reference to the arena in her site (either in favour, or against it).
I am also pleased to see that councillor Andrew Price has publicly stated that he is a "million miles away from being supportive of the scheme".
I wonder if we will see other councillors disassociate themselves from this unwanted development, as it becomes ever more apparent that Croydon council will lose its CPO bid?
"I am no fan of the current proposed arena."
It is puzzling that, aside from yesterday's public announcement, she has made no reference to the arena in her site (either in favour, or against it).
I am also pleased to see that councillor Andrew Price has publicly stated that he is a "million miles away from being supportive of the scheme".
I wonder if we will see other councillors disassociate themselves from this unwanted development, as it becomes ever more apparent that Croydon council will lose its CPO bid?
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Arrowcroft's Jolly Junket
It seems that Arrowcroft, the council's preferred developer for the Gateway site, has invited two Croydon councillors (Andrew Price and Maria Garcia) to a Rod Stewart concert in Hamburg on July 18; as part of a second all-expenses paid research trip for the Croydon Gateway scheme.
Hands up all those of you who think that this offer is not in any way designed to try to sway the councillors to support the unwanted arena scheme?
Coun Garcia has turned Arrowcroft down. However, Coun Price said he was still considering the offer.
A spokesman for Arrowcroft said:
"We have invited a small number of councillors to the arena in July. The purpose of the trip is to allow the councillors to experience the trip first hand and one can only fully appreciate the design of the type of arena planned for Croydon if they see it themselves.
Arrowcroft will be paying for the trip so there is no cost to the public purse."
That's all very nice. However, Arrowcroft already paid for members of the council to come over to see Bruce Sprinsteen last October.
The result of that being the rather ambivalent Pollard report on the arena.
(By the way, why have Croydon Council removed the Pollard report from their site?
It was here:
http://www.croydon.gov.uk/council/yourreps/councillors/455712/489709/491907.pdf)
Why do Arrowcroft need more councillors to come over?
Here's a little bit of free advice to the council, based on my experience as an FCA, head of audit and fraud investigator.
When holding a position of responsibility you have not only to be independent and ethical, but you have to be seen to be independent and ethical.
Hands up all those of you who think that this offer is not in any way designed to try to sway the councillors to support the unwanted arena scheme?
Coun Garcia has turned Arrowcroft down. However, Coun Price said he was still considering the offer.
A spokesman for Arrowcroft said:
"We have invited a small number of councillors to the arena in July. The purpose of the trip is to allow the councillors to experience the trip first hand and one can only fully appreciate the design of the type of arena planned for Croydon if they see it themselves.
Arrowcroft will be paying for the trip so there is no cost to the public purse."
That's all very nice. However, Arrowcroft already paid for members of the council to come over to see Bruce Sprinsteen last October.
The result of that being the rather ambivalent Pollard report on the arena.
(By the way, why have Croydon Council removed the Pollard report from their site?
It was here:
http://www.croydon.gov.uk/council/yourreps/councillors/455712/489709/491907.pdf)
Why do Arrowcroft need more councillors to come over?
Here's a little bit of free advice to the council, based on my experience as an FCA, head of audit and fraud investigator.
When holding a position of responsibility you have not only to be independent and ethical, but you have to be seen to be independent and ethical.
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