The Ridings shopping centre demolition plan ‘called in’ by scrutiny committee
A decision to buy and demolish The Ridings shopping centre in Wakefield is to undergo further scrutiny by a council committee.
Wakefield Council’s regeneration overview and scrutiny committee has taken the rare step of ‘calling in’ proposals to flatten the ageing mall to make way for a multi-million-pound regeneration project.
The Labour-run council’s cabinet members last week voted in favour of buying the centre so new homes and leisure facilities can be built as part of a scheme expected to take more than a decade to complete.
The work also involves bulldozing 1960s residential tower blocks as part of the creation of a new ‘Cathedral Quarter.’
Following the decision, ten opposition councillors submitted a formal request for the plans to be examined further over claims there had been a lack of public consultation.
They also claimed the project would pose a “financial risk” for the authority.
The first phase of the project is being funded through £17.9m from the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG).
Scrutiny committees have seldom-used powers to refer decisions back to cabinet for reconsideration, known as a ‘call-in’, setting out in writing the nature of its concerns.
The request, sent to Mark Lynam, the council’s corporate director for regeneration and economic growth, said: “The potential for a funding gap between demolition and redevelopment has not been adequately scrutinised.”
Councillors said there was “no mention” of the Ridings scheme in the council’s capital and investment strategy for the 2026/27 financial year.
The request also said: “The cabinet has failed to address the significant public outcry due to the lack of consultation prior to this decision.
“Residents and business owners and wider community affected by the project have expressed shock and anger over the council’s governance, calling for transparency and accountability.”
It added: “There is no evidence that a comprehensive renovation model was fully costed as an alternative to total demolition.”
The request was submitted by Liberal Democrat councillor Rachel Speak, who is also a member of the scrutiny committee, and signed by nine other councillors.
They included the four members of the Unity group, Jake Williamson, Stan Bates, Pete Girt and Martin Roberts, as well as Adele Hayes (Lib Dem), Nadeem Ahmed (Conservative), Samantha Harvey (Reform) and independent councillors Nadiah Sharp and Michael Graham.
Jack Hemingway, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth, said: “We welcome the opportunity to present this to overview and scrutiny.
“These committees act as a vital check and balance within local government.
“The Cathedral Quarter vision paves the way for the biggest transformation in this part of the city for over 40 years.
“It’s absolutely right that we use this democratic process to examine cabinet’s decision and hold us to account.”
Scrutiny committees comprise elected members from different political parties, along with co‑opted members from local organisations in the community, and members of the public.
Scrutiny committees have voted to call in decisions on fewer than ten occasions since the cabinet system was introduced in Wakefield in 1999.
The powers were last used in 2022 when the former climate change and environmental wellbeing committee requested senior councillors reconsider plans to buy an historic house in order to a extend traveller site, at a cost of £5.8m
Gillian Marshall, the council’s chief legal officer said: “Call in is part of Wakefield’s democratic process to ensure accountability and transparency.
“The chair of the regeneration overview and scrutiny committee has called in the cabinet decision relating to the proposals for the Cathedral Quarter project for the committee’s consideration in the interests of openness and transparency in decision making.
“This will take place on a date to be set in early March.”