Pools bus parade 'waste of money'
A COUNCILLOR has hit out at a Mayor's decision to give Hartlepool United a heroes' reception - saying elected members should have been consulted on the funding of the event.
Councillor John Marshall, who represents St Hilda’s ward in Hartlepool, has criticised Mayor Stuart Drummond for giving Pools a homecoming parade.
But Mayor Drummond replied saying the only cost was to cover public safety and crowd control, and they were met by his hospitality budget.
The parade was held last weekend with an open-top bus tour and reception, following Pools promotion to Coca-Cola League One.
Coun Marshall said if the money was coming from the mayor’s “own pocket” there wasn’t a problem, but if it was coming from public expenditure “it is a waste of taxpayers’ money”.
He said: “I want to know whether the mayor is going to pay for the closure of all the roads and the bus out of his own pocket. If it was his own money, he’s a very generous man, it’s up to him. He gets enough money.
“If, however, we are footing the bill, especially with us just being given another 4.9 per cent council tax rise, that’s not on.”
Coun Marshall said he was delighted that Hartlepool United had won promotion.
But he added: “They aren’t division champions. How much tax-payers’ money was spent on barriers, extra police and town roads being shut all over the place?”
The councillor also criticised the mayor for not consulting the rest of the council for the decision.
He said: “There are 47 councillors and the decision should have been given by them, not the mayor off his own bat.”
But Mayor Drummond said the civic reception itself did not cost a penny, as sponsors such as the Staincliffe Hotel, Cameron’s Brewery, Hartlepool United Supporters’ Association and Disabled Supporters’ Association helped out.
He added: “The only costs there were, were for public safety and crowd control outside the Civic Centre. It wasn’t more than £3,000 and that came from my hospitality budget - I don’t need permission from anybody to use that. The football club is a flagship for the town and when they are doing well, the success it brings has a knock-on effect on the public profile it brings us nationally.
“Anyone who wants to knock the success, I suggest is not a supporter of the club or Hartlepool.”
Do you think the £3,000 spent on Pools’ homecoming parade was a waste of money and is the criticism directed at the Mayor’s decision to fund it fair? Write or email us you with your views.
What a fecking Miserable Tvvat!!!!
Get you pens out Bunkerites!!!!
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