Curb a Peel ?

Those interested in the activities of the Peel Group should read a new report by Liverpool-based think tank, Ex Urbe. It's chaired by former Labour MP Peter Kilfoyle, but has a Tory and Libdem on the board of trustees, as well as local academics.

Peel are the developers behind MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, where the BBC is an anchor tenant. Ex Urbe are interested in whether Sir John Whittaker's plans for Liverpool will lead to a new name, Liverpeel.

From the introducation: We at ExUrbe believe that it is more important than ever that the people and businesses of the Liverpool City Region are fully aware of the kind of organisation to which their future hopes have been hitched. After all, Peel is now the dominant influence within the city region. It owns the port; it has a significant stake in the airport; it has a huge landbank on either side of the Mersey; it has two representatives on the Local Enterprise Partnership (including its chairman); and has massive developments planned within four of the six local authorities. 

That dominance - with no real democratic accountability – makes it necessary to throw a light on the practices, finances and record of Peel. Only with a transparent account of the organisation is it possible to properly assess and judge the nature of the beast to which the Liverpool City Region is now harnessed.