Dear Sir,
In Alderman Gray’s latest missive, the statement that Labour County Councillors Adam, Dixon and Hopper intend to fund a public building on the former Elmfield School site is wholly inaccurate. The derelict plot has lain unused for several years but only now, and without any formal community consultation, is Alderman Gray proclaiming that he wants a new school built on it.
There was no mention of this specific pledge in his election leaflet when Alderman Gray stood as an Independent candidate in the recent 2013 DCC local election. Moreover, given that the majority of sites earmarked for housing development are at the opposite side of the town; existing Aycliffe West school buildings are in relatively good condition, and based on the projected primary school-aged pupil numbers, it is unlikely that funding for a new school could be secured in the very near future, regardless of a council’s political balance.
A significant proportion of the town’s housing stock, including the new- build scheme currently underway and newly built properties in Aycliffe West, is in the social letting sector. Would a key UKIP policy that states, “Social housing should be prioritised for people whose parents or grandparents were born locally” be the answer to Alderman Gray’s concern about empty homes?
By definition, in a town that has been gradually peopled by generations arriving from far and near, that narrow criteria has the potential to close the door to affordable social housing for a fair few existing residents who may come to need it, as well as more recent and future generations. That will do little to stimulate the local economy, let alone bolster the sustainability of our schools.
Readers should not be misled by Alderman Gray’s inaccurate comments regarding the withdrawal of DCC funding from community buildings at a time when the County Council faces savage budget cuts by the Tory-led Coalition government. Silverdale House has never been designated as a public building and the current closure of one side of the building is not due to the withdrawal of DCC funding.
Unsurprisingly, George omits the fact that prior to the 2013 DCC boundary changes, Silverdale House was in fact situated in the Shildon East Division. Councillor Eddy Adam and myself did indeed pledge in their election leaflet to support established community associations and local residents – including the users of Silverdale House, and we are equally dismayed by the lack of activities for local residents who live in close proximity to it. However, their concerns should be addressed to the former Shildon East Councillor Dorothy Bowman.
Meanwhile, if parents and carers living nearby get in touch, we can signpost you to various activities available for children and young people that are within reasonable distance of your area.
Kate Hopper
County Councillor
