COUNCILLOR DEREK ANTROBUS!!!
Salford City Council's Lead Member for Planning, scoops the `Read My Lips' Award, just ahead of John Merry, for his pronouncement on the huge locally listed URC Church building (previously Salford Central Mission) on the corner of Trafford Road and Broadway, near Salford Quays.
The Council wanted to demolish the Church, despite its importance to the heritage of Salford, and plonk the controversial new Oasis Academy school on the site…mainly because it looked good as part of MediaCityUK (see here for further details).
At the planning meeting in February 2007 Councillor Antrobus pronounced…
"I'm not prepared to accept this [academy planning proposal] unless there's a very clear commitment that the building will not be demolished"
2nd December 2010: Votes to demolish the URC Church building.
Ladies and Gentlemen. The George Bush `Read My Lips' Award goes to…
Councillor Derek Antrobus!!!
Applause.
* See Day 1 Award here