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Labour have no clue on local economy
January 25, 2012 9:23 PM
Welsh Liberal Democrats have blasted the Council's economic development policy after one of a series of Freedom of Information requests revealed that they have no idea how many new businesses have set up in the area
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Cllr Mike Powell, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrat Council group says it is "unbelievable" The Labour Cabinet recently launched an economic development strategy which is supposedly going to drive forward the economy agenda and bring new businesses and jobs to RCT. "Yet in response to an FOI request asking how many new businesses had opened in Pontypridd town centre over the past twelve months they stated that 'the council does not hold information on the formation of new businesses.' |
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"I find this extraordinary - how can they formulate any sort of policy for growth if they do not hold such basic information? How will they measure success? The Council is responsible for collecting Business Rates - most new businesses setting up in the town would surely have had to register for that. It shows a total lack of co-ordinated effort across the authority."
RCT Welsh Liberal Democrat campaign manager Karen Roberts says it confirms the fears of many that the programme could turn out to be nothing more than a cosmetic exercise.
"In response to a freedom of information request we were told that only three applications had been received since the scheme started, and only two of those were successful. One of those involved a long standing business who moved to new premises across the road, leaving behind an empty unit which has not been filled. The other was an office conversion which now houses the office of the Plaid Cymru regional Assembly Member.
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I know RCT are proud of their recycling achievements but this is ridiculous." "The programme was, according to the Cabinet Member responsible, supposed to 'generate local employment opportunities, increase the amount of visitors, create stronger and more diverse businesses, and foster a vibrant and sustainable economic centre.' "There is little evidence of it achieving any of this so far, and having looked at their new strategy it seems to be so vague as to be worthless. There is a consultation that basically asks people if they think more jobs are needed and more businesses should be encouraged. Who is going to say no to that? Actually producing the goods is something else." |
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