I note with interest that Ms Raper fails to address the major concerns raised in John Franklyn’s letter – in particular the essentially undemocratic nature of “Transforming Telford”. Perhaps she could tell us why it was considered necessary, or even desirable, for the council to establish a “stand alone private limited company” to take over responsibility for a major portion of the council’s economic development policy making, and control of what are currently publicly owned assets.

The board of TT includes just two representatives of Telford & Wrekin Council – the Leader and CEO, with the rest being drawn from business and the usual suspects – Advantage West Midlands etc.

In its previous incarnation as “Telford First” it somehow managed to take part in the consultation over the future of the Town Park – some time before its creation was even officially PROPOSED to the council’s Cabinet. Obviously an organisation with considerable powers – some might say magical! I wonder if being immune to Freedom of Information requests is among them?

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Oswestry said:

“Without being perjorative to T&W Council, the vast majority of normal people welcome the addition of partnership working”

Thanks for that – you’ve put my mind at rest. Thank God there’s at least one person among us who knows what the vast majority of normal people think. I hope your endless interviewing doesn’t interfere too much with your day job!!

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that should read “work in ” not “win”

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“When money from the private sector begins to surge into Telford,”

Is there any evidence to support the conjecture that private money WILL flood in? To date that seems to be more a pious hope. I’m not, unlike some on here, decrying private sector involvement but it seems strange to suggest that private money will flood in when it apparently needs public sector advance seeding to cause it to happen. In my experience the private sector is quite capable of investing in schemes with credible returns WITHOUT public start up funds. That the public sector has to invest first suggests that the business plan isn’t as solid as it is claimed. I’m not saying it couldn’t be but the supporting evidence, as yet, is not forthcoming

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These are my points exactly.

£30 million public money of which £9million is match funding by Telford and Wrekin council.

This is on top of the initial £1.3million we as residents paid for the set up of TT and now the annual £1.1million per year the residents have to pay as any money TT may get, is NOT allowed tobe used for capital expenditure.

A heavy tax burden will be placed on the Residents to pay the £9 million match funding as well as loosing free facilities that will end up being pay as you use.

The poorest are the people who will be hit the hardest and they are the people that need the greatest assistance.

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