2020 Vision. MBC, notable by their absence.
January 24, 2012 by rocklifferover
Last nights Gazette (Monday 23rd Jan) came complete with ’2020 Vision – A Blueprint for Teesside, a 32 page pullout heralding the start of ‘A major new Gazette campaign (which) fights for Teesside. All grand stuff. In the pullout, it highlights organisations looking to be part of the future for Teesside. Educational facilities like Teesside University and Middlesbrough College, development organisations like Tees Valley (its an estuary, knuckleheads!) Unlimited, numerous large businesses, such as SSI, PDPorts, Huntsman, Darlington Building Society, INEIS, Sembcorp and so on. Then there are more local outfits like Python Properties. And, of course, there are pieces on redevelopment from local authorities. Stockton gets a centre-spread, while Redcar and Cleveland gets a double-page. My only problem with the R&C offering is that it has Goerge Dunning plastered all over it. While he is leader of R&C council, his remit is for the Environment. It would be nice to see or hear from Sheelagh Clarke, whose remit includes Tourism Development and the Rural Development Program or Mark Hannon, cabinet member with the remit of Economic Development. From unwanted helter-skelters to dead whales, if it happens in Redcar & Cleveland, it seems that George Dunnings mug, grinning out from beneath his dodgy barnet, has to be attached to it.
Still, at least R&C and Stockton actually have made the effort. Not a single word from Middlesbrough Borough Council. From a council led by a mayor infamous for his ‘visions’ for the future of the town, it seems peculiar that ’2020 Vision’ has nothing from our towns leadership. On the face of it, Middlesbrough risks getting left behind by developments in neighbouring R&C and Stockton. While development in Stockton seems to be largely praised by the public – the Barrage, the Millenium Bridge and North Shore (although Billingham town centre remains the blemish on its record), much of the redevelopment in Redcar seems to attract criticism from many (myself included) for not taking into account its history as a seaside resort and the ensuing ‘concrete-ification’ of the Promenade. (Great idea to force visitors to use the tower, make the sea defences so high that it’s the only way to see the sea!)
However, love it or loathe it, both councils are taking steps to redevelop their towns. What has Middlesbrough got? A ‘free’ (running cost to the taxpayer £1.24 million per year) art gallery, which we were told would attract business and tens of thousands of tourists to the town.
On reflection, in a 32-page booklet that highlights the positive efforts of local and international businesses, development organisations and other local authorities, maybe it’s better that our visionary mayor and his nodding-dog executive committee keep schtum about their under-achievement.
http://bettermiddlesbrough.wordpress.com/
