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
