Kings Dock - Letters to The Echo

Kings Dock

Blue Kipper has been involved with the "Everton for Kings Dock" movement from the start.

The Letter Below was featured in "The Echo" on 24/01/02.
KINGS SCHEME STANDS IN DOCK

Your recent article on Everton FC's proposed move to the Kings Dock leaves a number of worrying questions unanswered.
Firstly, it said that there was a series of top level briefings to "key regional officials and politicians" on the proposals. To date, no one has approached me, despite the concerns of Walton residents about a vacant Goodison Park, and the effect on local businesses. Secondly, how does a private organisation qualify for £35 million of taxpayers money, when none is earmarked for the North Liverpool poverty cluster - the biggest in the Country? It would be an insult to the thousands of North Liverpool residents who have seen no sign of Objective One money. Thirdly, the football will not, as stated, own 49% of the development. It will be minor shareholders in Houston Securities. the public sectorpartners will continue to own the site. Fourthly, who has bothered to ask other Merseyside councils about subsidising this development? As it has been pushed by Liverpool City Council leader, Mike Storey, and its Chief Executive, David Henshaw, they should resolve the funding dilemma, not the other Merseyside councils. Finally, I ask just how many times must we be spun these fanciful job creation figures? I am all for development, in the City as elsewhere, but inflated job creation speculation merely feeds cynicism about these grand announcements.

Phil Pellow wrote this letter in response to the one above. Phil is spokesperson for EfKD.

Dear Sir,
I was intrigued by the letter which you printed from Peter Kilfoyle, MP, with regard to the Kings Dock project, in which he alleges that a number of questions have been left unanswered. His first point is that he has not personally been consulted, despite a
press release referring to top level briefings to "key regional officials and politicians." I understand these briefings to refer specifically to the project at the Kings Dock, and not to the future of Goodison Park. Mr Kilfoyle would not normally expect to be consulted about a project in another constituency, would he? As an experienced politician and ex-Minister, Peter is well known and respected throughout the local politicial scene, and knows all of the persons involved in the development of the Kings Dock personally. If he needed further information, why didn¹t he ask?
I quote, "As an Evertonian, I hope for an appropriate stadium for the club. I also want to see the King's Dock developed with a world-class project, reflecting the city's world-class international brand. Whether the two are a match, I am happy to let Joe Dwyer (Liverpool Vision) decide! However, I am given to understand that Everton's proposal is by far and away the most
impressive." The source?
Peter Kilfoyle, in the Blue Kipper website last year.
I assume that he is still happy to leave the matter to Sir Joe Dwyer and the others involved. As for the future of the site at Goodison Park, which is very important to Mr Kilfoyle and his constituents, I have no doubt that Everton FC will enter into full consultation with residents and local politicians at the right time i.e. after the Kings Dock is confirmed and the project is up and running. At this time, Mr Kilfoyle can have his input. Second, he poses the question as to why a private organisation might qualify for £35 million of taxpayers money. Naughty, naughty. The money is earmarked for the whole scheme, most of which is owned by Public Sector
organisations, including Liverpool City Council, English Partnerships and the North West Development Agency. To infer that it is going directly to Everton football Club is simply wrong. I am surprised that a politician of such experience can make such a basic error of fact. Finally, he criticises job creation estimates for the development at the Kings Dock, alleging they are "fanciful" and "inflated" and then refuses to state on what grounds he comes to this conclusion. Not good enough, Peter, give us some facts to support your allegations.

In summary, I and my colleagues at EfKD still believe that the proposals for the Kings Dock are the most exciting news to hit Merseyside and North Wales for many years. We have never denied that our agenda is to do what is best for the club we love, but as a scouser (and proud of it) I also believe fervently that the proposed Kings Dock Development will bring a massive boost to the local economy, and help to bring more prosperity to the City of Liverpool and the people of Merseyside. Nothing said by Mr Kilfoyle, or others of the Melledrew Tendency, has changed my opinion, and I hope that all of the local Councils will give their support to this wonderful scheme.