Decision 'on a knife edge' in referendum over war memorial (From Warrington Guardian)

Decision 'on a knife edge' in referendum over war memorial

VOTES on whether to hold a referendum to decide the future of Crewe's controversial War Memorial, were taken by councillors on Wednesday night.

Protesters from the Memorial Action Team (MAT) presented local Tory leader Brian Silvester with a

petition on Tuesday, campaigning for a referendum to be held.

The full meeting of the borough council cast its votes as the Guardian went to press, with the decision on

whether to move the War Memorial to opposite the Town Hall, in the balance.

MAT members feel the council's consultation has not been democratic and wants a referendum to decide the outcome.

Cllr Silvester said: "We are calling for a referendum and I think the decision is on a knife edge.

"There are some councillors in both the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties that don't want the War

Memorial to be moved and others who do.

"If there is a 'yes' vote to hold a referendum, we are saying that it shouldn't be done until planning permission has been given.

"There is a question mark about whether it can be sited opposite the Municipal Buildings, so there's no point in spending money on a referendum if planning permission isn't granted anyway.

"The Development Control Committee is not expected to make a decision on it until February or March time."

The lateness of the planning decision could also spark new problems, according to Mr Silvester.

"If a decision is taken in February or March to move it, there's a real danger everything will not be in

place by Remembrance Day - and bear in mind it is the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

"There's no way we can have a memorial service on a building site, so the council will have to guarantee that it's going to be ready."