The Conservatives on Bournemouth Council welcome the news that Shelley Manor seems set to have a sustainable future at last that will safeguard the historic building for future generations.

What is not so welcome is the credit that the Lib Dem Council are now taking for this achievement which has mainly come about through the hard work and imagination of the Friends of Shelley Manor.

The truth is that the 'Friends' have campaigned long and hard to save the building and have now rescued it from the Council's threats to turn it into flats. The Council have not put one penny of the £2 million they have gained from the sale towards the renovation costs but have left the 'Friends' with the enormous task of raising the money instead. Over £1 million is needed to redevelop the theatre, library and gallery. However, the 'Friends' were not helped by the Council when it rejected their business plan last year and now fear that the Council will use them as the scapegoat if they fail to raise the money, despite the Council taking no responsibility itself to do so.

It seems that the recent press release from the Town Hall with Lib Dem Cllr Andrew Garratt taking the credit for 'saving' Shelley Manor was rejected by all the other parties involved as it was misleading and did not tell the whole story. Although Cllr Garratt is one of the Boscombe Councillors, he has had little to do with the 'Friends' apart from making grand statements on behalf of the Council from the Town Hall. Any worthwhile comments about the progress of work on Shelley Manor would have been more in tune with reality and had full credibility had the 'Friends' been properly consulted. Their Chairman, Pat Clark would certainly have been better placed to comment on progress rather than a local politician who has only been involved at the fringes. The views of the 'Friends' can be obtained through their spokesman, Chris Wakefield, who can be contacted on 07775 677162.

As the Lib Dem candidate in the forthcoming General Election, Cllr Garratt appears to be using his paid Cabinet position for personal publicity rather than just general Lib Dem spin - that seems unfair and opportunistic. The Conservatives believe that the political hijacking of this good news story for the people of Boscombe by Cllr Garratt is a mistake and will hinder the huge voluntary efforts of the Friends of Shelley Manor at this crucial time for all those involved.

For further details please contact:-

Cllr John Beesley
Bournemouth Conservatives
on Bournemouth Council

Tel. 01202 762403
Mobile 07860 391219
email john.beesley@bournemouth.gov.uk