I SHOULD just like to set the record straight for readers regarding a comment made by Clr Mike Jones, leader of CWAC, at the council meeting in Winsford on December 12.

I raised a question regarding the future of the VAC Gallery whose tenancy in Brunner Court was due to be terminated leaving the gallery and its’ volunteers homeless from January 8, 2014.

I understand that after I forwarded my question to the council in advance of Thursday’s meeting, a three-month reprieve was granted to enable solutions to be sought to secure the VAC gallery’s future in Northwich, which is to be warmly welcomed.

Imagine my dismay therefore, when Clr Jones used it as a party political broadcast with reference to Small Business Saturday, a national event on December 7.

Clr Jones referred to Small Business Saturday as a solely Conservative-led initiative.

I should like to point out that it originated in the US and was championed across the UK by Labour Shadow Business Secretary, Chuka Umunna.

The initiative, supported by the Prime Minister and MPs, as well as parliamentary candidates like me, received cross party support bringing together a grassroots movement of organisations and local authorities.

Clr Julia Tickridge Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate Weaver Vale