Draft minutes have been published on the Goole Town Deal Board website.

Reading through the draft minutes, you again get the impression that the Town Deal operates in a parallel universe to that in which the citizens of Goole exist. It is clearly written carefully to suit a particular audience - and that audience is not most Goole residents.

There are references to consultations and feedback. The comments have been summarised and sanitised so that they bear little connection to what Goole residents are saying about the plans.

There is a reference to a proposal to have a “water feature” in the flood prone station subway. Given how often the bottom of the subway is impassable because the drainage system can’t cope your first thought might be “is it April 1st already?

There is also an update by the Town Deal PR consultant on all the positive coverage the Town Deal is getting, not least in the Goole Times, which almost seems to be the House Journal for the two councils and the Town Deal Board these days.

The Town Deal Board was appointed by East Riding Council. It’s reasonable to conclude that they were carefully picked so that East Riding’s plan for how to spend the £25 million would be imposed on the town regardless of what the residents want. There is little evidence to suggest otherwise.

Keep talking, keep challenging, keep signing! You can see the draft minutes here: https://www.gooletowndeal.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Draft-Goole-Town-Deal-Board-Minutes-26-01-2024.pdf