PaulRogan

We are all aware of the Secretary of State's decision regarding the Council's plans for Sugdens in Brighouse. The Secretary of State refused to confirm a compulsory purchase order, which would have resulted in the Sugdens site being redeveloped as retail sheds and in Mill Royd Street being closed. Many people in Rastrick consider the announcement of the £6million to be spent on swimming pools in the Borough to be either pre-election spin or smoke and mirrors. Could the Leader please help to dispel such cynical comments by giving clear answers to the following questions?

1. An outside solicitor (Mr Creer) was appointed at the beginning of December to look into allegations that false evidence had been presented to the Compulsary Purchase Inquiry. A report was promised by Christmas. Has anybody had sight of Mr Creer's report yet either in draft or final?

2. When will all Elected Members have sight of it?

3. Exactly what proportion of the headlined £6million is specifically intended to be invested in Brighouse pool?

4. Do you agree that Brighouse should have the first and major call on the capital investment for new pools as it is the only one of the three areas which had a swimming pool and now does not, for whatever reasons?

5. Do you accept that the timing of the announcement made about the investment in pools, at the very least in Brighouse/Rastrick and Sowerby Bridge may be thought by some to be politically motivated?

6. At what time do you consider it appropriate for the Council to respond to requests from the Brighouse Area Voluntary Sector to publicise proper details of the Council's plans for the wider community?

7. What are the Council's costs to date in the matter of the Sugdens compulsory purchase inquiry and have all those costs been reimbursed by the developer in accordance with the terms of the development agreement?