Thank you guys. I hope some of you were able to hear Chris Watts and myself engage with Bob Wright (clever man) and Steve Wakefield (late as ever) on 105.5
Coun Bluh and co may belittle our efforts but we are determined to hold the Council and DC to account over this project.
Bob Wright made a really valid point when he asked for an explanation of the real agenda - it is not to denigrate the efforts of SBC to be an active force for good, rather it is to ensure that value for money is obtained from what by any normal person's viewpoint is a lot of money.
If were were being generous we could accept that 90% completion in Highworth is too all intents and purposes a done deal. On that basis the £150,000 given to cover phase 1 and assist in initial development and set up costs could be considered VFM. However, if we accept Highworth was 'finished' at the end of February one is perfectly entitled to ask Coun Perkins and DC for an update on sales performance, conversion rates (that is from interest to actual sign up) etc. If the figures were good i imagine DC and the Council would be shouting from the rafters, after all a success story in Highworth would surely lead to external investors beating a path to DC's office accommodation, which according to Coun Bluh has access issues.
What Coun Bluh and perkins do not wnat to do is answer a very simple question - if Highworth is finished and indeed was finished in February and DC has been given the additional sum of £250,000 - why hasn't Swindon town centre been started?
Please don't use the recession and financial issues as the reason for the stalled position - DC has been given £250,000 agaisnt a risk assessment conducted by SBC officers in April of 2010. The economic situation has not deteriorated in the last 7 months
