LETTER: Curious as to how council came to its decision

Following my experience of Kirklees Council's decision-making process over the closure of Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre, I was curious as to how the council arrived at the decision to close some of our local cultural and heritage facilities, and more importantly, exactly what criteria they used to determine where the axe falls?
Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre.Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre.
Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre.

For example I know footfall at the Red House Museum is a major factor. To this end I contacted David Sheard, who couldn’t enlighten me, neither did he confirm or deny that footfall was a major criteria.

I would assume that it is, and is to be expected, given the monocultural mix of our community.

Instead he pointed me to the council website.

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Here I eventually found this 123-page document: Report for Cabinet, dated October 3 and titled ‘The Future of Museums and Galleries’.

All very wordy, saying all the right things about the importance and benefits of cultural facilities within our community, etc.

I couldn’t find the criteria used to decide where the axe falls though.

If the Council takes this report seriously, then shouldn’t they be actively opening more cultural facilities in the monocultural enclave which Dewsbury has become?

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And not close down the town’s only museum, to go along with all the pubs, clubs and shops which disappeared.

Also should they not be encouraging the use of such facilities, instead of taking the easy option, and withdrawing from the town culturally as well as commercially?

R Spreadbury, Liversedge