Having discussions to learn more about investment zones is the “grown-up” thing to do, the Mayor of Bedford Borough has said.
Mayor Dave Hodgson (Lid Dems) was responding to investment zone questions from Cllr Lucy Bywater (Green, Castle) at yesterday’s full council meeting (12 October).
Cllr Bywater said: “What discussions, if any, are being had, or are timetabled, between ministers and the mayor and executive members about the investment zones proposed?
“And how concerned are you about the viability of the local plan, protections for nature, the level playing field for existing local businesses, and the protection of employment rights,” she asked
The mayor replied that the council is “very concerned” about the detail it’s been given so far.
“The [list of] questions I have asked civil servants about the number of things that are unsure is far longer than for the things that are sure,” he said.
“We are submitting an expression of interest to find out [more].
“When we have that I would share that with councillors before we make a decision.
“But we should continue to have a conversation in case there is a good deal for our residents and for our businesses,” he said.
Councillor Bywater said: “We need the right kind of growth rather than some desperate dash for growth and de-regulation.
“Literally dozens of national environmental charities have called this a potential attack on nature, and they don’t seem to be listened to at all, or are being given any reassurance.
“So I just really like the mayor and councillor Royden to really commit now that they will continue to insist on existing environmental protections as a minimum and that Net Zero will not be overridden in any way.
“And to make their commitments on the local control of planning,” she said.
The mayor replied: “I will continue to insist on those and other things that I mentioned, we need to have that control.
“We need to see what it is – there’s a possibility it could be good.
“The assumptions that people are making may be true, but until we know they are true we need to have discussions.
“Let us have those discussions, there is very, very, little detail in the presentation they’ve given us.
“There’s hope that [investment zones] could be very good.
“But until we have confirmed that they’re not, we can continue to have that conversation.
“It’s the right thing to do, it’s the grown-up thing to do, to have a conversation when somebody’s offered you a conversation for a potential investment in your area,” he said.
Expression of interest
Bedford Borough Council announced earlier this week that they have been invited by the government to express an interest in their recently proposed programme of “Investment Zones”.
The Council will now look at two specific areas of the Borough to see if there would be any benefit in them becoming Investment Zones.
Sites earmarked are alongside Bedford Midland and St John’s railway stations and at Pear Tree Farm either side of the A421 and the A6, opposite the Audi dealership and BP Garage.
However, a council spokesperson said the government’s proposals “have yet to be fully set out”.
The council confirmed that Mayor Dave Hodgson has told the government the Council will need firm guarantees on environmental matters, affordable housing and the threshold for non-domestic rate income before Bedford Borough could agree to become involved.
A response is expected later in the autumn.
by John Guinn Local Democracy Reporter
and Bedford Independent’s Paul Hutchinson
