The Government has announced the shortlist for the Town of Culture Award, with West Bridgford missing out, along with all the other nominations from Midlands towns.
Rushcliffe Borough Council submitted the bid for West Bridgford following public engagement and approval by cabinet members, but the Government has overlooked West Bridgford and all the other Nottinghamshire bids.
Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Wellbeing and ICT at Rushcliffe Borough Council, has expressed his anger that, yet again, Rushcliffe, and indeed the Midlands, has been overlooked by the Labour Government for funding:
‘We had a fantastic bid, showcasing the fantastic work of West Bridgford, our sporting and cultural heritage, and the vibrant community we have. To not be shortlisted, and for the entire Midlands to be overlooked, is yet another slap in the face for our region.
‘We have had the A46 and A38 projects axed, tens of thousands more houses being forced upon us through new housing targets, and now this. Nottinghamshire is completely ignored by the Government, and even the next PM, Andy Burnham, talks as if London and Manchester are the only areas worth talking about in the UK. Residents will be right to be angry at being overlooked again, and it’s time the Labour Government realised we deserve more respect from them.’
‘I’d like to thank all the residents who engaged with us, and the officers at Rushcliffe Borough Council for their hard work on the bid.’
