'Scarborough leader needs to be truthful', says councillor
Bill Chatt has criticised Steve Siddons after he's accused of misleading council.
Scarborough borough councillor, Bill Chatt, says the authority's leader needs to be truthful.
It's after conflicting reports of whether or not conversations have been had between FlamingoLand and Steve Siddons about the site of the former Futurist Theatre.
Councillor Siddons told full council on Monday they were still in talks, but yesterday the resort's Chief Executive, Gordon Gibb, categorically denied that.
It all comes after a question about the development was asked in council, subsequent to our report on Monday, in which the council's Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, Janet Jefferson, said she thought it was unlikely anything would happen with the site before the borough council is abolished in April next year.
In reponse, Cllr Siddons insisted talks with preferred bidders for the site, FlamingoLand, had been continuing.
But the company's Chief Executive, Gordon Gibb, said:
"Flamingo Land has not discussed our plans for the Futurist with Cllr. Siddons since shortly after he became Council Leader a number of years ago.
"Unlike the other Council representatives (employed and elected) that had shared Flamingo Land's dream to deliver a world class entertainment facility to Scarborough, the new leader (Siddons) was not engaged, seemed dismissive and has never made contact with us since.
"Cllr. Siddons' recent comments regarding the Scarborough Councils continuing work with Flamingo Land on proposals for the former Futurist site could not be further from the truth."
Mr Gibb went on to say he's withdrawn his interest from the site.
"I have spoken directly to the Council and told them that we will not work with Scarborough Council on our development plans with the Council as it is currently structured. We do not believe they have the understanding, knowledge, energy or imagination to make this project happen.
Reluctantly, the company has withdrawn its interest in Scarborough as a direct consequence."
Bill Chatt said:
"Somebody somewhere is telling porkies and my thing is people are saying to me 'I knew you councillors were all liars and here we are, it's proven now - you're all a bunch of a liars, you're all in the same pot, you're absolutely corrupt.'
And that's what people are saying to me - and I'm not. I don't tell lies, I'd rather tell the truth."
We've asked Steve Siddons for a response, but have yet to receive one.