“What a farce! Instead of asking the public what they want, they get consultants to draw up lots of plans, then find there is a lot of opposition to the plans, so the consultants are asked to revise plans bringing further delays and costing more in consultancy fees.” One local resident commenting on announcements in the Goole Times “clarifying” Town Deal plans.

At least the Goole Times has restored the letters page which it suppressed for several months around the time the Victoria Pleasure Grounds plans were being finalised. One letter highlights the delays to projects, and the “tiered” approach to making sure the plans can be delivered within the £25 million. Another letter is rather scathing about the “consultation” on a devolution which the correspondent says none of the councillors mentioned in their election manifestos. The low turnout for the last local elections is stark, and reflects levels of distrust and disillusionment with local government, despite an increase in the number of councillors standing as “independents”.

The picture today shows the “RaisE” building. When it suits East Riding Council, money is clearly no object. There is a cafe selling excellent food, some meeting rooms, and it seems rented out office space. Quite a lot of space though seems to be unoccupied looking from the outside. It is a very contemporary building, and certainly doesn’t give the impression of being built on the cheap. That contrasts with, say, the way East Riding Council functions have been crammed into the public library, to the detriment of serious library users. Would a RaisE building in the town centre have helped with reinvigoration and regeneration and provided the hospitality venue currently planned for the unsuitable Victoria Pleasure Grounds site?

We have not reached numbers with the petition to warrant sending it to the Secretary of State. However, there is clear evidence of dissatisfaction with aspects of the Town Deal and with the way the councils go about things. The petition will stay open for now, as it is important to keep the pressure up.

Thanks to everyone who has signed so far and been in touch. Keep sharing, keep talking, keeping signing!