12 April 2016
The resignation of Cllr McAuley from the Executive of Stockport Council triggered by the process used to determine the future of Stockport's historic market has shown further the serious failings at the Town Hall. Stockport Green Party have been worried about the lack of genuine engagement with traders and residents in order to build a successful Marketplace. (see previous article)
Stockport Green Party spokesperson Gordon Combe commented:
"Council officers have produced a report on the future of the marketplace. This apparently has been seen by Cllr McAuley on Tuesday 5th April. On Thursday 7th April Lib Dem councillor Sue Derbyshire told a full meeting of Stockport Council that the consultation done by market traders had been received just that day. This would indicate this report was produced before any information was received from traders.
The lack of transparency in the council consultation has been a worry. Leading questions and poor research or engagement were obvious. To then ignore input from traders indicates that genuine engagement or any kind of transparency were of little concern. Lib Dem councillors were determined to push through changes in the marketplace no matter what. A food and drink offer that is already tied to one operator seemingly with no plans for a public tendering process or ways to build a successful marketplace is unacceptable.
We have previously called for engagement with traders and shoppers. Proposals should provide a starting point and generate two way conversations. Suggestions and criticism alike must be welcomed. It seems this is not a priority at the moment for the current Lib Dem executive."
Nancy Richardson, Green Party candidate for Manor ward, commented: "In a democracy everyone's voice counts. There is no excuse for rushing through a report. I commend Cllr McAuley for taking drastic action and drawing attention to this sham." James Pelham, Green Party candidate for Brinnington & Central, added: "This underlines the need for a Green voice on the Council, which would always speak up for fairness and for the people the Councillors claim to represent."
Stockport Green Party is calling for a new consultation process after the local elections in May. We believe the current decision making process is too tainted to be considered transparent. Traders already had a poor opinion of the council in this matter. The revelations from Cllr McAuley will only erode this further.
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