Issue - meetings

To receive questions from members of the public, of which prior notification in writing has been received (no later than noon two clear working days before the day of the Council meeting).

Should you wish to submit a question please complete the online form at www.maldon.gov.uk/publicparticipation.

In accordance with the Council’s public speaking protocol, it was noted that the following question had been received from Mr Stephen Rogers who was in attendance and read out his question:

Question:

“The Draft Consultation Report regarding Medical Services being provided from St Peter's has been published. Over 5,544 people responded to the ICB of which 3945 were from Maldon. A further 1,500 from Maldon district responded via a letter from Sir John Whittingdale and over 6,000 signed a petition. The response is an over whelming rejection of all three proposals presented by the MSE ICB. On average 93% of people from Maldon believed the proposals were a bad or very bad idea, with only 3% thinking they were a good idea. Engaging with the ICB before the report is published is actively undermining the beliefs and actions of many 1000's of Maldon residents. Will the council commit to NOT engaging with the MSE ICB regarding relocation of services from St Peter's until AFTER the consultation report is published and the Council can consider the OFFICIAL results of the Consultation?”

In response the Leader of the Council advised how he had met with Mr Rogers and discussed the NHS consultation and health services in the District. How the Council recognised the importance of health services to the District and also recognised the strength of feeling from residents in the District. The Leader agreed with the concerns raised and explained how he wanted to ensure that the Council did not facilitate any kind of closure of services within the Maldon District along with any behaviour that would give advantage to the ICB (Integrated Care Board). He therefore felt it important that the Council did not engage with the ICB with regards to the relocation of these services.

The Leader referred to a recent press release he had issued in response to comments on social media regarding this subject. He confirmed that the Council was in no way talking to Essex County Council or the NHS about moving any of their services to this building, not would the Council be accommodating the library. With regards to engaging with the ICB, the Leader referred to the urgent item of business on the agenda for this meeting which would form the approach of the Council and any dialogue it had with external partners.