Tories fume at ‘cynical’ plan for £500m revamp
PLANS for a £500 million revamp of Sutton Coldfield town centre have been described as ‘cynical and superficial’ by Conservative representatives who also asked where the money was coming from.
Birmingham City Council revealed its multi-million plans for the Royal Town in its ‘Urban Centre – a framework for inclusive growth’ report discussed by the cabinet.
The report revealed plans to transform ten centres around the city at a cost of £2 billion – but Tory Sutton representatives criticised the city council for not committing any of its money to the project.
They said: “Birmingham City Council’s announcement to look into developing urban centres within its council area caused deep dismay and irritation across Sutton Coldfield when it emerged that this was an announcement with no new money attached to it.”
Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council leader, Simon Ward (Four Oaks), who recently said he ‘welcomed the focus on the town’ but queried where the money was coming from, this week said: “It’s disappointing to see such a seemingly cynical move.
“The town council recognises that a long-term, sustainable plan for the second largest urban centre in Birmingham is long overdue.
“That’s why we have established a regeneration partnership pulling together local authority, transport and business and community groups to engage with all stakeholders to come up with that plan.
“Just last week Andrew Mitchell and I welcomed Andy Street to a meeting to talk about real actions. Ours is a practical approach rooted in a real understanding of what residents want to see and what our Royal Town desperately needs.”
City and town councillor, Ewan Mackey (Roughley), said: “We are well used to Birmingham City Council making announcements and promises designed to mesmerise the residents of the Royal Town, only to let us down comprehensively thereafter.
“It may as well announce plans to introduce flying cars by the end of the year as without the funds to enable this it is hard to say which plan would be implemented first.”
Cllr David Pears (Trinity), who had previously said the report was ‘aspirational’, said: “As ever I am afraid Labour treat our Royal Town with cynical contempt.”
Birmingham Conservative leader, Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington), said: “The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield is a great place with huge potential for regeneration highlighting the history of the town.
“This is why I asked the city council cabinet meeting to confirm how much money will actually be put on the table by the council.
“Sadly, they have once again revealed they are not actually putting any money into these plans. This is not acceptable and has to change.”
But Sutton Labour representative Cllr Rob Pocock (Vesey), said: “The plan for the £500 million is about economic investment.
“The figure across the city is £2 billion. It’s the same approach you take in any kind of investment model.
“If commercial investors find the area attractive, they’ll make some money for themselves, for Sutton and give Sutton a stronger economy.
“I think they (the Conservatives) are showing an astonishingly unimpressive lack of enterprise in Sutton’s future.
“Doom-mongers running down the prospects of Sutton’s chances of investment.”
It’s disappointing to see such a seemingly cynical move Cllr Simon Ward