Hi Helen, I received a letter stating your position in regard to the assumption of a lease and the rejuvenating of the Albion Leisure Centre.
Unfortunately, I have resigned from the Council as of 10th March as I now live in the U.S.
However, I should like to offer my support to your plans and hope you will continue to press the Council to act in your favour.
In my time as a Councillor I found many aspects of my role frustrating. I certainly felt an atmosphere of secrecy. Officers do not like Councillors intruding on their turf - Councillors are often seen as a nuisance - a necessary evil if you will, by some officers.
Further, the executive in Erewash appears to act like a 'polit' bureau. Communication is kept to a minimum.
My advice to you is to keep calm, do not accept prevarication, ask for direct answers and use your local councillors - Darren Adams-Shaw, Mike Sherwood, Bridgit Adams-Shaw, David Stevenson and the Mayor.
The argument that you will be competition for Council run centres is bizarre. I would have thought a successful, privately funded centre would benefit the Council. The role EBC plays as a Sports facilitator surely is to simply fill the gaps left by private clubs, not to 'compete' with them.
Maybe the Council could cut the sports funding should you be successful and maybe cut the Council Tax! (Yes that is supposed to be a joke!)
Best Wishes
Philip S. Rose
soon to be ex-councillor Derby Road West
