‘Councillors left fighting rearguard action’

I MADE my way on September 4th to what was called an extraordinary meeting of the Leek Town Council to discuss the future of Leek’s Moorland hospital. This was the first time for me to venture through the doors of local political debate. My passion was to try and ignite a fire to do something more positive that didn’t appear to be presently happening.

My first impression was seeing many fallen heads of the present town councillors who represented what appeared to be a battle weary platoon.

I was soon to see and hear why morale was low. The attendance by the public was at full capacity, and the public were ready to do battle with passionate calls for something to be done.

Brian Johnson was chairing the meeting, and he was like a rear gunner in a Flying Fortress – coming under fire from everyone. I think a medal was deserved for him in how – against some hostility – he manoeuvred this meeting to go forward in a more positive way.

It was clearly seen that many positive questions and answers were supplied from the vocal audience. It was made clear from the public that the councillors were not pushing as hard as they could in what people expect from their councillors.

I have to come to their defence and tell the truth which is clearly not known by the people of Leek. There was a unanimous vote from all councillors stating they did not accept the removal of beds and services from Leek Hospital.

It is also clear this action is coming from the government as a purely cost cutting exercise for the mismanagement of the NHS debt crisis. The government is making the hospital and its people just one of many sacrificial lambs now having their throats cut saying “To hell with what Leek and surrounding area thinks.”

Anger prevailed when hearing that several invitations had gone out to Sybil Ralphs, Simon Baker, the CEO of SMDC, who receives £138,000 or more from Leek people and were not seen or heard. Other prominent Staffordshire Moorlands members were invited and none appeared. Also an invite went out to Karen Bradley our MP to attend, but she did not attend or – more damming – did not leave a message of support to be read out for the people of Leek.

To hear this of these individuals who did not attend was a desertion of duty to the people of Leek. They forget they are there to serve the people, their positions are beholding to the voters.

I had the feeling that this was a Dunkirk scenario for Leek where they were being left to fight a battle on their own.

The failure to win this battle to keep the hospital would see its hospital property being eventually sold off and losing everything.

I listened to the uphill fight of Pam Wood and Charlotte Atkins, who had encountered much negative response from the many questions they had put forward. It would seem they were having to fight a rearguard action to save the Leek hospital on their own for a long period of time, and when this battle is won, due recognition will and should be made.

Disheartening to hear, but a total disgrace of hearing that help had not been forth coming to Pam and Charlotte and also to many of her colleagues who have being trying to make the same argument.

I can only hope hearing of the few facts raised others can be inspired to attend the next meeting giving their vocal and passionate support. You now have to question these individuals responsibility or lack of it.

To call Sybil Ralphs a leader beggars belief, as she has deserted the real battle and appears to have other masters she is more aligned with.

The disgraced toilets issue at the bus station are still the same, nothing has been done, as Sybil does not want to meet me.

Karen Bradley represents who? Not the majority of Leek people. Karen cannot meet me either to discuss the issue of the bus station toilet, which is not 20 paces from her Leek office door. What does this say?

I was allowed to express my view with many others at this meeting.

An Englishman by the name of Thomas Payne helped to win the American Revolution in 1776 with a pamphlet called Common Sense. There is a lot of common sense held by a great many people in Leek and its surrounding areas who want accountability seen.

A resolution was made that an increase in council meetings are to take place allowing the public to air their views.

This should be arranged as soon as possible and pressure should be applied to those who were missing on September 4.

Unite and harness the energy by all Leek people, and those too who serve the Staffordshire Moorlands council and town. The strongest assault has to be made against these indefensible cuts made by the present government. I hold no allegiance to any political body.

Simon Baker should be at the side of Charlotte Atkins and Pam Wood and others giving figures, facts, and strong support to not let government make these wrong decisions against our hospital.

Many may not know that my parents generation before the last war donated money for years to have a hospital in Leek. What happened? Deception, and being deceived for all what was saved by the people of Leek, which disappeared down a black hole to probably hospitals outside Leek. No clear answer was ever given.

Are we going to be walked over again?

Keith Harrison who has given his heart and soul passionately serving Leek over many years gave a good speech that night, as did others who were singing from the same hymn sheet.

Your town needs all that can make it to the next meeting.

Be ready to give battle to save your hospital now, don’t have regrets later.