Owen Temple

The following statements have all been issued to the local press. I publish them without comment or alteration.

Councillor Watts Stelling, Derwentside District councillor & Durham County councillor: “We are happy to support the scheme. Ideally we would have been able to accommodate even more uses with the new centre but this was simply unaffordable. The proposal is deliverable, will mean that there is no disruption to the current facilities and will provide a modern centre with lower running costs.”

Councillor Alex Watson, Leader of Derwentside District Council: “We hope that Durham County Council will agree to the delivery of the new centre. There is no doubt that we need to replace the existing facilities which are in very poor condition, as a matter of increasing urgency and the scheme that has now been agreed has the best balance between content, costs and future development potential. We have a realistic timescale set out for delivering the project but any delays would be expensive – current construction inflation means that some £60,000 would be added to the costs for every month of delay.”

Councillor Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, “The proposal is something that the new unitary authority will need to look at very carefully particularly given the need to keep Council Tax levels across County Durham as low as possible.”

Councillor Bob Young, Durham County councillor, speaking on behalf of himself and County Durham councillors Clive Robson, and Jane Brown; “We have major reservations about the current proposals and believe the plan has been hastily produced as a knee-jerk reaction to the original strategy and plan being unable to be funded.”

“We consider this to be an inferior plan although we have to admit that we have not been privy to all the details as we as county councillors have not been consulted.

“Many community organisations also feel aggrieved as likewise they have never been adequately consulted. ”

What people can be assured of is that we  are committed and enthusiastic to deliver for the residents of Consett new sport and leisure facilities but they must be for all, not for a few.”

Councillor Owen Temple, Derwentside District councillor & Durham County councillor; “We have taken a great deal of trouble to ensure that we have all-party support for a project that will clearly meet the needs of the vast majority of the users of our sports centres. It is disappointing to read negative comments from local representatives that could prejudice future leisure provision at a time when our existing facilities are approaching the end of their working life and the Government is strongly advocating the health benefits of sports and leisure activities.”