To consider the following Motion proposed by Councillor S Jones and seconded by Councillor C Palmer:
“This Council requests Andrew Selous MP to facilitate a meeting, whether face to face or remotely, between Neil O’Brien MP, Minister for Primary Care and Public Health and representatives of the Town Council, to explore the issues and potential solutions regarding the wholly and increasingly inadequate provision of primary health services in Leighton-Linslade, which is causing significant frustration, anxiety and detriment to the rapidly growing population of the town”.
Minutes:
The committee received a motion proposed by Councillor Jones and seconded by Councillor Palmer:
An amendment to this motion was then proposed by Councillor Goodchild and seconded by Councillor Owen to read:
This Council, noting the failure of the BLMK ICD and CBC over the past three years to (a) provide a Financial Plan for the promised Health Hub along with new GP surgeries for eastern Leighton Buzzard and Linslade, (b) consult local patients and this council on either the possible services or location of the Hub and (c) provide internal challenge at CBC Level and recognising the level of public outrage at this institutional abandonment by officers and Members paid from the public’s taxes.
Calls on Andrew Selous MP to
(a) Announce action now to recruit doctors and nurses to fill existing vacancies in our three existing GP surgeries to improve the current wait for appointments
(b) Abandon now his suggestion made at the 9 February public meeting of relying on funds raised from the disposal of land in Vandyke Road, which would produce just 2% of the cost of building the Hub and two surgeries – a fig leaf for the problems
(c) Secure now a public commitment from BLMK ICB for real public consultation as is done for example by Norfolk and Waveney ICB.
(d) Demand that his Government direct BLMK ICB now to redirect its spending priorities to fund the Leighton Buzzard Health Hub and two new GP surgeries (in conjunction with whichever Minister is prepared to act to give Leighton Buzzard residents a health service in return for their taxes.
(e) Announce now a change in his policy of trying to influence lead figures from ICB, CBC and Government behind closed doors and on public platforms and instead ally himself with local people and their representative groups in a Peoples’ Alliance to force these monoliths to listen to and act on the voice of local people.
(f) Throw his weight now behind a major CBC overhaul of the failing infrastructure funding mechanism.
It was noted that this did not represent an amendment in accordance with Standing Order 1 (e). In order to permit discussion, it was proposed that Standing Orders be suspended.
RESOLVED to suspend Standing Orders to allow discussion of the amended Motion proposed.
Following discussions, the amended motion was put to a vote and was not carried (2 in favour, 3 against and 4 abstentions).
The substantive motion was then put to the vote and carried (5 for, 4 abstentions).
RESOLVED this Council requests Andrew Selous MP to facilitate a meeting, whether face to face or remotely, between Neil O’Brien MP, Minister for Primary Care and Public Health and representatives of the Town Council to explore the issues and potential solutions regarding the wholly and increasingly inadequate provision of primary health services in Leighton-Linslade , which is causing significant frustration, anxiety and detriment to the rapidly growing population of the town.