Nick Perry: "Hastings Council can trust the Trust"

9.47.55pm GMT Mon 7th Dec 2009

Nick Perry, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner for Hastings & Rye, has backed the Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust as a safe bet to secure the future of Hastings Pier.

Speaking after a packed meeting at Blacklands primary school for the candidates in Thursday's St Helens Ward by-election, Nick said,

"The Trust have done great work to make the Pier a political issue in this by-election, which will determine the political balance on the Council. It has demonstrated beyond doubt that it has the passion and the know-how to take on the challenge of saving our Pier.

"HPWRT has made a compelling case that they alone, as a community trust, are best placed to take forward this work, but they need the full backing of Hastings Borough Council to do so.

"I am 100% them - particularly their plans to make jobs and apprenticeships available to local people. With our young people turning up at the Job Centre and completing training courses without jobs to go to, it is barmy that the Council has not snatched the Trust's hands off before now.

"The message from tonight's meeting is clear - the Council can trust the Trust, and it must now get on with the Compulsory Purchase Order of the Pier.

"What remains to be seen is whether the Council can be trusted to do the right thing."