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“Save our Market” debate exposes yet again the Tories threat to reimpose cuts thrown out by Council

by Ian Shires on 9 March, 2016

Willenhall's busy marketAre District Centre markets a source of income? Or are they an investment in the future towns like Willenhall?  This was the clear divide which emerged from of a debate sparked by a 500 signature Willenhall petition headed “Save our Market” at last night’s Corporate and Public Services Scrutiny Panel.

Opposition Labour and Lib Dem Councillors on the Panel supported a recommendation moved by Cllr Ian Shires (Lib Dem, Willenhall North) endorsing the the joint Labour/Lib Dem Budget amendment which was approved at last weeks Budget Debate in Walsall’s Council Chamber. The amended Budget saw the freezing of District Centre market stall rents replace the massive hike in rents proposed by the Tories.

Under questions by the Panel the Leader of Walsall Council Cllr Mike Bird stood defiant and once again spelled out his claim that Tories would reimpose the cuts thrown out last week by the Council when his group wins the Local Elections in May.

Speaking after the meeting Lib Dem Cllr Ian Shires said “I would like to think that the voters would have something to say in the face of such arrogance. taking the voters for granted is a dangerous game.”

During the debate at the Scrutiny Panel it was said that Willenhall Market was a success and it was important that it remains so. Without its market Willenhall would be a ghost town and the loss in Business Rates resulting from its collapse as a retail centre would far outstrip the £64,000 subsidy which the Council District Centre markets get off Walsall Council.

On being put to the vote the Scrutiny Panel endorsed the alternative budget passed by Council last week. Tory members of the Panel abstained thus leaving the door open for them to increase market rents should they win a majority in May’s Local Election.

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