News from Plymouth Labour

Tories lose Plymouth £2m conference bonanza

Plymouth City Council Tories have lost a major Trade Union Conference from the city, worth over £2 million to the local economy. The GMB Trade Union, who held its annual congress in the City this year, were keen to return to the Plymouth Pavilions for their next Congress. But the Conference venue, owned by the Council, cannot cover the subsidy of association conferences as the Tory-controlled council has withdrawn the funding to cover such conferences – a sum of just £65,000.

The market for these conferences is very competitive, with councils across the country offering their venues for free. Although the cost of this is small – just £35,000 in the GMB’s case – councils recognise the value of the delegates’ spending to a variety of small businesses in their local economies, as well as the importance of extending the season for hotels. Conferences are a bonus for pubs, restaurants and shops. Many GMB delegates visiting Plymouth for the first time for their conference are known to have booked holidays for their families later in the year as a result.

Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Tudor Evans said:

“What a disgrace this is. It’s a real blow for our local businesses, particularly the smaller ones. On Monday the Council was told that the Conservatives are doing all they can to help business in a downturn. Rubbish. Absolute rubbish. This proves they are no good with our money. They risk £13 million in Icelandic banks but won’t support a project like this at a fraction of the cost but with a guaranteed return.”

Other news from Plymouth Labour

• Activists restart Plymstock Party as Labour targets local elections - 12 December 2011
• Plymouth politicians launch petition to keep adventure activities safety law - 6 December 2011
• "Keep Moor View in Plymouth" boundary campaign launched - 7 November 2011