Row breaks out after councillors are accused of ‘politicising’ during bid to save Morecambe’s Platform

Andrew Gardiner, leader of Lancaster City Council’s Conservative group, recently challenged Labour publicity which, he alleged, associated Labour councillors in particular with “saving” The Platform and with a potential new audience membership scheme or a venue friends group.

Coun Gardiner said various political parties had intervened over The Platform. He also said Labour was previously part of the city council administration which “wanted to close” The Platform and Labour’s new actions contradicted previous city council decisions.

Additionally, he said a proposed new friends group is not a registered company or charity. Although it had been intimated a new group might co-ordinate fundraising activities and grant applications, Coun Gardiner said The Platform is owned by tax payers, as controlled by the city council.

However, Labour councillors have since responded in a joint statement, saying they were “delighted that Coun Gardiner is taking an interest in the continuing operation of the Platform as a council asset”.

The Labour statement added: “As a councillor in February 2023, Coun Gardiner ought to be well aware of the decision to outsource operation of the Platform to an external party, as the £150,000 per year support given to the venue by Lancaster City Council was deemed no longer sustainable. He voted to support this decision at the time.

“The work to keep operation of the Platform in-house, run by Lancaster City Council, was driven by Coun Catherine Potter, the cabinet member for the visitor economy, who explored new business models and put together a case for cabinet colleagues.

“All communications have been clear that the Friends of the Platform group has not yet been set up, Coun Gardiner may wish to join the group when it is launched, then he can find out a little more about what it can do.”

The Labour statement added: “Local people have mobilised and campaigned for The Platform, Labour councillors have heard these concerns from many residents during their regular door-knocking sessions and surgeries.

“Coun David Whitaker shared information about the new business model with his fellow councillors and coordinated the all-party letter to support Coun Potter’s approach.

“The continuing operation of the Platform by Lancaster City Council is a direct consequence of the creative thinking and tenacity of Labour councillors, and the support they have received from across the political spectrum.

“We hope that Coun Gardiner is able to enjoy the entertainment The Platform will be able to bring to the people of Morecambe and the surrounding area well into the future as a result.”

Coun Gardiner said he hopes to raise questions about The Platform at the next full city council meeting on December 13, at Morecambe Town Hall.

At the November full council meeting, councillors were told the building’s front part is owned by a company called Polystar Ltd. A city council visitor information centre was based there until this autumn but, when a 25-year lease ended, it closed to cut council costs along with another in Lancaster.