Arguments for and against the proposed Congestion Charge for Greater Manchester raged on last week as a panel of experts gathered at the City Of Manchester Stadium to take part in the annual North West Communities Debate, organised by Harvest Housing Group.
Other topical and controversial issues currently affecting the region were also debated at the event that was hosted by Journalist and Award Winning Broadcaster John Stapleton and featured panel members Andrew Simpson, Managing Director of Peel Holdings, Ian Perry, Chief Executive of Harvest Housing Group, Jill Burdett, Property Editor at The Manchester Evening News, Mark Fryer, Neighbourhood Manager of South Workington Partnership and Ken Knott, Chief Executive of Ask Developments.
Ken Knott opened up the debate by expressing his backing of the TIF proposals, saying that an improved transport system for the region would benefit “all sections of society”, a claim that was strongly refuted by Andrew Simpson who put forward his concerns that the proposed charge would see many people who are already struggling financially even more out of pocket.
The panel also addressed the issue of worklessness and how the current financial climate is affecting individuals and businesses in the region. Mark Fryer pointed out that as the region of West Cumbria has been suffering from large-scale unemployment for many years, the financial situation is taking longer to take effect.
Ian Perry was keen to stress the importance of putting support and training packages in place for when the jobs market improves, a point that was by reinforced by audience member Julie Wedgwood, Project Manager of Routes 2 Work, an award winning initiative set up by Derwent & Solway Housing Association. Continues…
Julie added that through Routes 2 Work it had been recognised that confidence is a barrier to many people returning to work and that the benefits of creating such packages of training and support are increasingly evident.
Commenting on the subject of sustainable regeneration, Jill Burdett expressed the importance of putting strong infrastructures such as schools, libraries and shops in place at the same time as the construction of homes if regeneration is to be sustained, a view that was reinforced by Ken Knott who spoke about too much emphasis being placed on the physical aspects of regeneration and not enough on the social side, saying that there is “no quick fix” to be had.
Continuing on the topic of regeneration, RSL’s such as Harvest Housing Group were robustly complimented by an audience member who commented on their “absolute commitment to improving and developing neighbourhoods” and added that partnership working is vital if improvements are to be made.
Panel members gave their thoughts on the debate after John Stapleton rounded up the morning’s proceedings, with Ken Knott saying:
“It was a very stimulating and broad ranging debate about how we collectively can deliver real sustainable growth in our communities”.
Andrew Simpson regarded the event as “a fantastic debate with people making sensible points about regional improvements” and Jill Burdett thought it “helped to focus peoples’ minds on the way that the current economic climate is affecting different areas of society”.
Summing up the occasion, Ian Perry said: “This was a fascinating event and I am delighted that both panel and audience members helped to deliver an enthusiastic and thought provoking debate”.