IN developing a city to be proud of members of the Ely Masterplan Working Party stated that the facilities for music and the arts attract people to the city. Events such those organised by Turning Point not only support and promote the work of local ar

IN 'developing a city to be proud of' members of the Ely Masterplan Working Party stated that the facilities for music and the arts attract people to the city.

Events such those organised by Turning Point not only support and promote the work of local artists, but also do the same for local businesses by encouraging customers to patronise city centre venues when they might otherwise stay at home.

It is therefore difficult to reconcile the Working Party's statement with ECDC's action, and all because there was the wrong type of licence: not so much Little Britain more like 'petty Britain'!

Instead of ECDC saying 'You've got this wrong' it should have said 'How can we help you get it right?' by enabling the Royal Standard to obtain the correct licence in time for the event to proceed as planned.

I wish Turning Point well with its events in the future, and I also hope that ECDC will redeem this current situation. Changing its mind set from 'can't do' to 'can do' would be one effective means of providing arts facilities that really do attract people to the city.

DAVID OWEN