Lichfield’s MP says he “cannot understand” the criticism of a local council after they claimed to have invested money in local projects that have not yet been built.
Material in Lichfield District Council’s annual report and included in council tax information sent to local residents highlights schemes being undertaken by the local authority.
They include claims the council has “invested” in a new cinema and leisure centre.
But the choice of language was criticised by councillors who said the money had yet to be spent, with no confirmed operator for the cinema in place and no sign of construction starting at Stychbrook Park yet.
Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant said he had no issue with the use of the term.
“I cannot understand the criticism being heaped by some against Lichfield District Council for saying they are ‘investing’ in a new cinema and swimming pool.
“The Cambridge Dictionary definition of investment is ‘the act of putting money, effort, time, etc into something which to make a profit or get an advantage, or the money, effort, time, etc used to do this’.
“Money has indeed been set aside – that is ‘invested’ – in these projects and work is already underway on one of them.
“It is plain wrong to claim that because they have not yet opened, the money allocated for these projects has not been invested.
“Investing in a future project is normal and accepted accounting practice and is generally understood by most people.”
Michael Fabricant
Cllr Joanne Grange, independent member for Chadsmead ward, was among those who questioned the terminology used by the council.
She added that the local authority needed to clarify the messaging sent out to residents.
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
MF can’t understand anything, the rate payers of LDC want to see action.
With the LDC it’s all jam tomorrow but nothing today.
it is surprising that the MP who recently said the over 50s are better at spelling and grammar than younger members of the population is struggling to understand the difference between the past tense and the future tense. Had the council said they were “investing” in the future, rather than had “invested” in the past there would have been no problem.
Investing in a future project is indeed normal. Budgets are allocated all the time to various activities, but as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and as I’m celebrating 30 years this year working in finance and accounts, I think I’m well qualified to explain accepted accounting practice. It is only when an amount is spent, or the council becomes liable for the spend, that an investment is recognised in the council’s books. Until that time, there is nothing to recognise as no investment has been made. /1
2/ These are not my rules – these are International Financial Reporting Standards and the council’s own accounting policies.
The biggest issue, however, is the perception and understanding by readers of the report. I’ve canvassed widely this week and a large majority believe that the presentation is clearly pointing to the new facilities being ready to use.
Anyone fancy a trip to the cinema this evening? After all, as the council has ‘invested’ £5m in it it must be ready to use.
As there is also no planning permission granted to the leisure centre are the leadership group not pre determining the as yet submitted application. This would fall foul of many practices including listening to the residents near the site.
So Micheal Fabricant fails to understand why the Electorate is so disgruntled with LDC.
It’s simple MP Fabricant. But we do note you have problems understanding.
False Promises.. No progress ….Failed Friars Gate given the a new heading of the Birmingham Road site, Hoping the Electorate will forget. Proposed Cinema “work in progress” Lie. Moving Bus Station Where?
New Leisure Centre ( looks like a Crematorium) Building thousands of Houses, Retirement Flats with out upgrading the Infrastructure. The list is endless.
To include what is no more than an Election Flyer in with my Council Tax Bill is unacceptable considering it is filled with untruths.
Mr Fabricant ..I have tried to make it more simple for you to understand.
Also understand I know exactly where my cross is going Election Time.
More a party political presentation to get Tory votes this May and again in May next year
They say that work has started on the cinema. It’s a total nonsense. How can work start when (i) no cinema operator has signed a lease, and (ii) no planning permission has been granted for the work.
All they’ve done is stripped out part of the old Debenhams.
We get one promise after another, one deadline after another, with every single one is missed! Every one.
Councillor Doug Pullen said the operator of the cinema will be announced in March. Time it ticking on. Come on Doug- let us know!!
Sounds as if our MP is unable to understand simple English, perhaps he’s reaching the end of his useful time as our representative.
The Councillor obviously has a copy of the Donald Trump/Boris Johnson playbook –
1. Make something up to make you look good
2. Repeat the story endlessly with slight variations, if you do that people will hopefully start to believe you
3. Hope that you have convinced everybody to vote for you again because they think you are a wonderful politician who delivers on your promises
4. If the suckers fall for it, you get re-elected
5. Repeat 1, 2, 3 above in time for the next election
@DenyseP, I wouldn’t hold you breath, Doug Pullen originally said the cinema operator would be announced by the end of 2022. Every single deadline is missed with Doug Pullen. What he says isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.
You couldn’t make this story up could you?
More nonsense from Mr Fabricant.
We need some decent retail in Lichfield. We are over the top with cafe’s and bars. Please just give us somewhere to shop. Just cut down the ridiculous rates and let business thrive. It’s becoming just a coach trip place, together with charity shops.
For what we get the rates are extortionate.