Views are sought on council spending after bee flags controversy
Authority cAme under fire for decorAtions
PeOPLe in part of Leicestershire are being asked to give their opinions on how council cash should be spent after it was criticised for buying decorative flags.
Blaby District Council came under fire after it spent some of the government’s Welcome Back Funding it had been given on bee and sunflower decorations for Blaby village centre.
Many disgruntled residents said, however, that the money could have been used on something more useful to the village, such as reopening the public toilets.
Now, the authority is asking residents and businesses across the district to give their opinions on what can be done to make their local centres more attractive to visit.
The council has launched an online consultation, which also asks participants how often they visit, and why.
There is also a separate consultation for businesses to detail the impact of Covid-19 on them, and what support they need to recover.
The Conservative-run council has said that any of the district’s businesses can apply for support through the Business Hub.
Councillor Sharon Coe, portfolio holder for health, wellbeing, community engagement and business support, said: “This important consultation forms part of our upcoming Support Local campaign, which we are excited to work on, but we want to ensure we do this with the views of our local centre users and the businesses who operate in the district.
“Whether you use our shops or own a shop in one of these villages, we urge you to complete the consultation.
“You know your area best, so please tell us what you like about the place you visit, and what we can do to make it even better.”
However, Paul Hartshorn, Liberal Democrat councillor for Blaby South, who has previously been vocal on both the toilet and the flag controversies, has criticised the council for the move.
He said: “I am a little shocked that this Conservative-run council needs a survey to decide what needs to be done. There are some self-evident things, such as reopening the toilets and addressing the parking charges.
“However, some other things have been promised for the Blaby village that never seems to happen.
“For example, we had a similar questionnaire to decide on the new benches and planters we needed in the Blaby precinct. That was back in February.
“I think people are getting a little fed up with just being asked, and it’s time they were also listened to.”
The consultation ends on Monday, October 18. Residents and traders can find spending survey at: