IT looks highly likely that this new pet project of Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) for the tax and business rate payers to finance and build a 4* hotel and then pass it on to a franchisee for them to make a substantial profit will be pushed through the council by the current Tory administration on April 10. 

The Lib Dems have put a motion to the council requesting TD delay the decision and engage and consult with all the businesses in the hospitality sector within TD, to ensure they are content for TD to spend their hard-earned taxes to go towards a business that will directly compete with theirs.

The Lib Dems think this is only fair and transparent.

We do not think some 35 councillors who have no experience in hospitality business should decide on such a huge investment.

The public should also be consulted. I hope hoteliers, room providers, Airbnb and the wider public can come to the meeting - at 6.30pm on April 10 at Shire Hall, Shuttern, Taunton to witness how democracy is being practised, in the name of openness.

READ MORE: Hotel could be built at Firepool using taxpayers' money

Progress is not a law of nature, it takes work.

Progress comes from innovation, derived from research, enabled by investment, recognised in a great part with local, national and international stakeholders naturally buying in to the project, because new industries can be created.

This administration is squandering millions of pounds towards unsustainable ventures.

If we are really interested in creating sustainable quality jobs we need to invest in R&D and innovation, and then we will see genuine investors queuing up to add value.

Why should taxpayers have to bribe/entice operators to come to Taunton? 

Whatever we may think of the American president, at least he puts the business interests of his fellow Americans first, but here in sunny Taunton, the Tory leadership works in reverse.

COUNCILLOR HABIB FARBAHI
Liberal Democrat
Taunton Deane Borough Council