A DECISION by Lichfield District Council to work away from Staffordshire County Council at a recent investment event has been questioned.
The two authorities were present at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF).
But after the district council opted to host its own stand separate from the Staffordshire-wide one, a county councillor accused them of “flirting” with other authorities.
It comes after district council leader Cllr Doug Pullen had previously describeda Staffordshire-wide night-time economy project as “poppycock”.
Cllr Matthew Wallens, Reform UK representative for Curborough ward at the district council and Lichfield City North at the district council, said at a recent meeting:
“Given that Lichfield District Council attended UKREiiF this year, but not with Staffordshire but on their own, this is not the first time that’s happened. Would you agree with me that Lichfield should get its act together and work with Staffordshire instead of flirting with other authorities such as West Midlands Combined Authority?”
Cllr Alex Farrell, Conservative member for Lichfield Rural South at the county council and Fazeley at the district council, said Lichfield was at the event promoting two specific items.
He said:
“Lichfield is a place I live in and love and that is mentioned so often in this chamber. I think Lichfield is living in many people’s minds rent free at the moment.
“I’m very pleased to say Lichfield District Council was at UKREiiF making representations in Leeds on behalf of Lichfield for two specific items.
“One was to revitalise Burntwood shopping centre and to attract various different people who are hopefully going to come and pour lots more money into Burntwood – and it’s much needed there, so that’s really positive – and also we had lots of meetings about bringing a new hotel to Lichfield as part of our new masterplan on the Birmingham Road site.”
The row continued when Conservative Cllr Richard Holland said in a recent social media post that Cllr Martin Murray, leader of Staffordshire County Council, had failed to mention a single attraction in Lichfield.
He said:
“The leader was in attendance at UKREiiF and posted about all the wonderful places to visit in Staffordshire.
“Unfortunately, of the things that were listed the following were not the National Memorial Arboretum, Lichfield Cathedral, the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Erasmus Darwin House, Beacon Park, Chasewater Country Park and Railway, Fradley Junction, the Staffordshire Regiment Museum and the Wall Roman site.
“Does he have something against Lichfield?”
But Cllr Murray dismissed his criticism, highlighting his promotion of the city and attendance at the 25th anniversary of the arboretum.
He said:
“Staffordshire a large county so I mention all areas. It may help if Lichfield District Council would actually join our Local Visitor Economy Partnership or maybe engage with our night-time economy board – or maybe even if Lichfield would have joined our Staffordshire contingent with our large stand at UKREiiF rather than go it alone.
“I do often think Lichfield is disassociated itself from the county of Staffordshire and looks far too much towards Birmingham.”
Cllr Robin Hall, cabinet member for economy and skills at the county council, added:
“I do find it rather bizarre that Lichfield District Council chooses to go their own way really at UKREiiF.
“I think what’s quite telling really about that is that they clearly have ambitions to get somehow more involved with the West Midlands than Staffordshire, which I think is kind of sad.
“I don’t know whether the residents feel that way. When you name your trading company Lichfield West Midlands Trading Services Limited [the district council’s trading arm], I think that is pretty much what I’d call evidential proof of that.”
