Welsh Labour Arrogance: Maesteg Update

Hello there. Hope you're feeling well today.

Leaving aside the fact that I still work there, I've been finding that, despite the fact that I live in the Vale of Glamorgan and wish possibly in the future to move to Treorchy, that Bridgend still seems to be calling me back in one way or another in an unexpected manner.

On Thursday I received on Twitter a rumour with regard to Bridgend. Won't say what that rumour was because I couldn't substantiate it (except that it's nothing to do with Ford) but whilst looking into this I stumbled on the latest news regarding Maesteg Indoor market.

I originally chatted about this on a post in October last year. But to summarise briefly Maesteg Town hall is used amongst other things as a stage venue with an indoor market at the basement. Apparently it needs substantial repairs. Bridgend Labour council's proposal is to create a "cultural hub" (you can see the dead hand of a marketing consultant there) with the merger of two current libraries in the area to be situated where the indoor market is currently situated.

In summary. After 135 years of service to the Maesteg community Bridgend Labour Council were going to close down the market.

Since then and despite a valiant effort to save their site. The stall holders and the workers there have been hampered by a perception from the people in the town that the closure could not be stopped, when this was not necessarily the case. Consequently business reduced and profits tumbled. Most businesses have either relocated or closed down. Amongst those relocating are the Maesteg Animal Welfare Society (MAWS) stall where as I've mentioned before I've bought a wide range of books at great value .

There will, according to the report I read,  be one stallholder left by the end of next month. So unless a miracle of biblical proportions occurs Bridgend Labour Council would have won.

In terms of villains winning it's on a par with Brexit and President Trump.

And this vision of a "cultural hub" is, as I've mentioned before, typical Welsh Labour and very typical Bridgend Labour Council. Concentrate on some grandiose plan and seemingly do hardly anything towards the fundamental problems the area has. I would bet that if they were asked whether they just wanted repairs done to the site but nothing fancy otherwise actioned (which I suspect would cost less) and any extra money improving say, education, then the people of Maesteg would be happy enough. But no, Bridgend Labour council knows best. They want a "cultural hub" and a "cultural hub" it will be. And if Bridgend LABOUR has to be cruel and ruthless in a very Tory manner to small businesses to get their wish then so be it.

Potentially though this (I will assume) victory could be hollow. The council wish to use EU money that they have applied for but are not certain they will get. Throughout this whole issue I've not read anywhere of a "Plan B" should their application be rejected. There seems to have been an arrogant assumption that it would be accepted and they'll get the cash.

But what if their application is refused? What then? Let's assume that Plan B doesn't exist. What will happen to the town hall? Is it just going to rot to death? Will it be the first in Maesteg to follow a downhill spiral like the urban mess the council have made to Bridgend Town?

If there is no Plan B then Bridgend Labour Council have acted as if they have just made an agreed offer on a house and then discovered they can't afford a mortgage. For arrogance, cruelty, ruthlessness add incompetence as well.

Until the next time.