WE appreciate Redditch Council has managed to create a financial burden for the town and is now seeking ways of saving money.
It is quite apparent a measure of financial planning and control is missing and money has been spent unwisely but it appears the council is now contemplating measures that will prove costly to residents if they are to be without the benefits of the countryside centre and Forge Mill Needle Museum and will diminish the attraction of the town.
The measures being considered will lead to an impoverished town, which seems to conflict with the council's long-term objectives - trying to improve the image of the town and attract visitors to the much-improved shopping centre and at the same time providing for a major improvement to the Palace Theatre.
It appears there is no overall plan for the town and the council is prepared to go from one crisis to another in an attempt to balance the books.
Alongside the improvements made in recent years, there is now a grand plan to develop a leisure complex at the Abbey Stadium which is expected to cost millions and at the same time to improve the access to the town from the motorway with a Bordesley bypass.
To have a plan to close what we already have and in that same plan to be considering large-scale developments of amenities makes no sense.
Even if the proposed closures are short term, there will be a cost to making the closures and re-opening them at some time in the future, which will of course be a further waste of money.
During the period the countryside centre and museum are closed, they will be at risk from vandals and a cost of protecting the assets will be incurred, which in itself will be a further burden on the town.
We would suggest, before any closures are made, the council agree on a future plan for the town rather than adopt a start-and-stop policy.
We understand one of the ways contemplated of making savings is to reduce the staff at the town hall and this is a sensible course of action, provided the reduction is not made in the ranks of those who are obliged to execute instructions but rather among those senior executives who advise the council.
Rather than them being sacked, we consider it would be more appropriate if they were to do the honourable thing and resign.
We are sure the deputies of senior executives are capable of carrying out the function to at least the same, if not a better standard.
JUNE & GILBERT EASTHAM
Parmington Close Callow Hill
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