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Responding to the Downturn and Planning the Future Economy

Can I broaden the discussion about media and culture to embrace the proposed Leeds arena project? Some people might argue that the sums of money needed to make that happen might be better spent on other priorities, such as the NHS, housing, care for older people, schools, transport and police. However, if the money that we are talking about is narrowly earmarked for economic schemes, the belief in Leeds is that the city should get its fair share—it needs an arena. The decision-making process through which resources are allocated should be open and transparent, and similar to processes that have been applied in other areas that received public funding. Above all, the funds should not be diverted by interference from other parts of the region.