City news in 250 words

Jinkies says..“ Ah brilliant, the country's in the worst recession in history and the council decides to do up it's offices. Can anyone say 'out of touch'. Surely they should be SAVING money by NOT SPENDING it?”

Anonymous says..“ Civic spending is a *good* thing in recession it creates... 1/ Jobs (during construction) 2/ Jobs (after construction to staff new areas) 3/ Trade (components, materials, etc most of which will be sourced locally) 4/ More areas of pride for the city and hopefully then further trade/jobs from tourism its not an uncommon strategy, andone which i think works extremely well.”

Anonymous says..“ You should put that in a press release anonymous, not that I'm assuming you work at the council or anything ;)”

Anonymous says..“ far from it anonymous, its not "PR Jargon" but merely a reflection of one of the classic strategies used by governments worldwide as stimulus in recessions, Obama has done the same with his infrastructure package (albeit on a grander scale) and in the UK, we're doing it too.... While consumers and businesses often "hunker down" in recessions, its important that civic organisations and governments do continue spending as its that flow of cash and investment and creation of jobs which can often help stave off the full depths of recessions. ”

scoteee says..“ In my eyes £165 million is a welcome allocation to lubricate the stiff cogs of the local economy. It just beggars belief as to why that level of investment has to be spent on council buildings as opposed to answering the many screaming requests from alternative areas of the city and it's surrounding suburbs. I saw a Jeremy Kyle show recently where the JK team basically begged (through free radio)local independent workers to help improve a deprived community centre in Wythenshaw .As you would imagine, they were highly appreciative and the work gone in since has produced some excellent results for local teens etc... Where is the logic in allowing the council to put up another statue or piss our funds away on the Big Bang letting that annoying rather annoying Jeremy Kyle fix our community centres in the poorer areas only to highlight what a bunch of selfish twats the council really are. It’s just wrong isn’t it? or am I missing something?”

JJ says..“ Of all the work that needs doing, the Peters Sq/Library/Town Hall combo cannot feature that far up the priority list. The only thing that needs redeveloping round there is the old Odeon and the building which houses Alan's Fried Chicken!”

Bowks says..“ Jinkies, congratulations on the single most uninformed rant that has appeared on these pages for some time. Anonymous has provided a sound explanation as to why this is a positive step from the council so no need for me to harp on about the benfits. Suggest you direct your comments towards Radio 4 and the daily Mail where they will be far better received numb nuts. ”

Anonymous says..“ I will await 'shock' exposee in a few years time - "Italian craftsmen employed to repair Central Library - we could not find local workers capable of repairing a dome says Council". The reality is a large part of the £165m budget will leak out of he local economy.”

Ali McGowan says..“ I advocate spending the cash, recession or no recession. This will never be a world-class city if we don't start to properly invest in some of our finest old buildings. The fact that the Council couldn't manage its way out of a wet paper bag is another issue. (Do we have a nice big tram system yet (the one promised before the 2002 Games)? Does it want to blow up the most amazing piece of art (B of the Bang)? Spend the £165m but for f*cks sake do a good job. Restore things properly, don't cock it up.) Toodle pip!”