Tories wrong about town centre co-ordinator post.
As another charity shop opens in Leek we hear that the Conservativeled administrations on both the district and town councils have voted down Lib Dem proposals to retain our town centre co-ordinator, Mike Cozens.
Times are hard, but Leek has done better than neighbouring towns in weathering the recession. This is in no small part down to the special abilities and determination of Mike Cozens, whose board room experience and contacts have brought many new businesses into our town.
The Tories argue that his part-time role can be carried out by council staff in the regeneration department. Do they not realise that a totally different set of skills from those they possess are necessary at the sharp end of promoting our local economy and these are ones possessed in abundance by Mike Cozens? But now council bosses have one more chance to get it right, as we learn from Your Leek Paper that Leek Chamber of Trade is looking to employ Mr Cozens in the same role.
We call on the district and town councils to co-operate with the Chamber of Trade and to offer partfunding as necessary to ensure that this vital work can continue for the benefit of our town.
ROY GREGG
Leek Liberal Democrats