Claims that more than £16million has been invested in leisure provision have been criticised by Lichfield councillors.
Figures released in Lichfield District Council’s annual report suggest the money has been invested in a new cinema, new leisure provision and the construction of a new leisure centre at Stychbrook Park.
But while the move on those projects has been approved, the money has not yet been spent.
Cllr Paul Ray, Liberal Democrat representative for Chadsmead ward, said the council needed to correct the claims, particularly given they are also included in a leaflet being spent to local households.
“This is totally wrong and misleading from the Conservatives.
“The public deserve better and will see straight through it – they can see for themselves that there is no leisure centre, no redevelopment of Friarsgate and no new cinema.
“It is just desperate behaviour by the Conservatives as they lead up to the 4th May local elections.
“They are running scared.”
Cllr Paul Ray, Lichfield District Council
The leaflet going out to households says “building work has already started” on the new cinema in the former Debenhams store, while also suggested that £1.5million has been “invested” in new leisure activities such as a climbing wall and 4G sports pitch.
Cllr Alastair Little, independent member for Hammerwich and Wall who had previously been a Conservative councillor, said the move was a “new low” by the Tories in Lichfield and Burntwood.
“I find it laughable that I receive a tax bill with an election leaflet.
“Lichfield District Council have done well seven weeks before an election to ‘keep tax low’ and is something I applaud, but some let themselves down having ‘different priorities’ at county – accountability is May.
“However, gerrymandering the messages via our bills is new low.
“Cllr Doug Pullen must know the difference between investment and budgeting for the future. Our post is unfortunately full of political lies which he has led to the post box.
“The leisure centre does not even have planning approved, the cinema is an empty shop, Birmingham Road site is still is on his shoulder and Burntwood is being stripped to the bone.
“I can only apologies for standing as a Conservative at the last election and not honouring a single pledge.”
Cllr Alastair Little, Lichfield District Council
“Remedial action is required”
Cllr Joanne Grange, independent member for Chadsmead, said answers were needed from the Conservatives on the use of language in their report and leaflet.
“It’s a long time since I’ve studied English in any great detail, but I do remember from my time as school that the past tense is used when an action is completed – if the council has indeed ‘invested’ £16.5 million, where’s the leisure centre and what’s the cinema screening tonight?
“The use of the past tense ‘invested’ rather than the future tense ‘will invest’ is at best poor use of English and at worst a deliberate attempt to mislead.
“The current state of play is that there isn’t even planning permission in place for the cinema or the leisure centre so implying that the investment has happened is just wrong. At such an early stage in the process, it is probably more accurate to say the council is planning to invest at some point in the future, but has a long way to go to deliver these projects.
“It is unfortunate that the incorrect information has been sent out with every council tax bill, and I look forward to hearing what actions will be taken to correct this position.
“After all, with elections looming in less than eight weeks, having incorrect information being delivered to every council taxpayer can’t be allowed to stand so some sort of remedial action is required.”
Cllr Joanne Grange, Lichfield District Council
Indeed, this is a new low from the Local Conservatives. I understand they are desperate to generate some sort of “good news” story before the May elections but, lying isn’t the way to do it.
thru don’t even have planning permission for the things they’re claiming as already “in the bag”. Do they think people in Lichfield are stupid? Clearly they do.
I for one, have had enough. I will not be voting Conservative again. I’ve had enough of them, and enough of Michael Fabricant. We need something and someone new, energetic, forward thinking and engaging – not a relic from the 80s who clearly hates his constituents. I’m so embarrassed to have him as my MP, and more embarrassed that I was silly enough to vote for him at one point.
Time for change.
I have paid my council tax bil at some point in the future. Is that suitable Mr Pullin a fast one
As I have said before all these schemes will just go back into stasis after the elections along with the elderly Conservative Councillors. If the voters cannot see through these desperate scattergun announcements ahead of elections then more fool them. Like the well that never runs dry £4.7m of reserves is moved from one scheme to the next like a magic roundabout trying to give the impression of progress without anything tangible to show.
Surely is it a breach for council resources/publicity/money to be used to produce what may amounts to party political literature?
The silence on the cinema is very telling.
I am aghast at the fact the council has wasted OUR money producing & distributing this leaflet that amounts to nothing more than propaganda for the local Tory party ahead of the local elections!
The silence on the cinema is indeed deafening. Can LL ask Cllr Pullen for an update on this? Seems to me that there is a pattern here with LDC and in particular Cllr Pullen. Promise everything and deliver nothing!
My leaflet is in the bin, should never have been printed as it is widely inaccurate. I shall not be voting Tory – they seem very desperate, which they will continue to be. There is no visible action on any major project. The proposed cinema is hopefully in a vacant building, the so called leisure centre is in wrong place [greenfield] & will not be of use soon. In fact the local Council is a shambles, & unfit for purpose
‘Allocated’ – yes – subject to all sorts of conditions and issues known and unknown that could lead to the money being unspent on this intended purpose and reallocated elsewhere. ‘Invested’? No.
This propaganda fails to tell us what the friargate fiasco has actually cost so far. They can’t get anything right so they lie about other things
just a reminder Lichfield, they tried to slyly, quietly close Friary Grange Leisure Centre, sneaking the announcement out on a Friday afternoon about 2 weeks after the last local election
PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE and don’t forget to take ID
Worst council ever. Worst government ever.
Tory party will hemmerage votes at next elections I don’t trust them and will vote labour despite the fact I can’t stand starmer
I have E Mailed Mr Pullen, on the concerns subscribers on this site have raised, I don’t expect a response other than the usual preponderance of standard rhetoric dished out by PUBLIC servants, some don’t even respond to emails and letters, listen up Mr David Williams!
As a long standing Conservative Party member, (60 years) I will not be voting for any major party in the forthcoming local elections and most importantly not for our present MP in the parliamentary elections.
Richard Nelson well done, it’s just a shame it took you 60 years to see the light