Councillors' fury as town plan funding thrown out (From Wiltshire Times)

Councillors' fury as town plan funding thrown out

8:10am Friday 5th February 2010

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Town councillors in Bradford on Avon have responded angrily to the rejection of their funding bid for a Town Plan.

Councillors criticised the process by which the plan, which will provide a framework for the development of town projects, was assessed.

Wiltshire Council’s grant panel objected to the application for £31,764 to draw up the plan, claiming it would cost money, would not create commitment to any projects and would duplicate the work of the area board, community area partnership and town council itself.

Mayor Isabel Martindale said: “We were extremely disappointed. It seemed as if the panel had rushed over various points.”

The council’s economic development consultant Gerald Milward-Oliver said: “Questions need to be asked about the decision process. It is an insult to the town. The plan will by definition result in high level project development proposals. The application included support from Wiltshire Council’s core strategy leader.

“Our costs are less than half those of the Warminster Town Plan. We will be looking at possibly putting in a fresh bid.”

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