SUBMISSION 12
Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Blackpool Coalition Against Gambling Expansion (BCAGE)
It is reported in today's local newspaper that
a delegation of Blackpool Councillors are to offer verbal evidence
to the Committee regarding the casino proposals for Blackpool.
From the guide we understand we may suggest
questions that the Committee may wish to ask those giving verbal
evidence. Could the Blackpool Coalition Against Gambling Expansion
please suggest these questions are put to the Blackpool delegation?
Why did you agree to so many people with
vested interests in gambling expansion, or being supporters of
it, being made directors of the Blackpool Challenge Partnership?
Why did you agree to the unelected Blackpool
Challenge Partnership spending £140,000 of public money to
lobby the Government for special casino status?
What else was spent in officers time, promotional
materials on the casino agenda etc?
Why did the Council not openly debate the
implications of the casino proposals BEFORE authorising the BCP
to promote the casino agenda?
Why has the Council not organised a single
public meeting where both sides of the casino implications could
be put, and both those in favour and against could answer questions
from the public?
Why have the leaders of all three groups
on the Council refused to answer any questions asked by the Blackpool
Coalition Against Gambling Expansion.
The Council has sent survey forms to every
house in Blackpool on various issues, why have you not included
any questions about the casino proposals?
As a newspaper survey indicated that 45.9
per cent of Blackpool residents are against the casino proposals
ON PRINCIPLE, do you agree that it would be democratic and wise
to undertake a full survey or referendum on the views of Blackpool
residents?
As the Select Committee can tell from our questions
we are very dissatisfied with the conduct of our local politicians.
At least half the people of Blackpool would be interested in the
replies to those questions. Thank you for allowing us to include
this extra memorandum.
2 May 2002
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