Leighton Buzzard residents are frustrated about the lack of progress in providing a health care facility, a councillor has said.
At Monday’s Social Care, Health, and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee (April 14), councillor Mark Versallion (Conservative, Heath and Reach) stated: “In November, it was publicly requested of the council and the ICB [Integrated Care Board] NHS that we put a concerted effort into the viability of additional primary care space in the east of the town – Clipstone Park.”
“The council is already developing a community center, and the debate is, shouldn’t it be multi-purpose?
“Residents have expected, certainly since the meeting of November 25, an answer as to how those discussions are going.” We’re not anticipating a resolution to those negotiations, but how are they progressing?
“Then, three months later, in February, it was asked how those negotiations were progressing.
“And the director of primary care said in [a] webcast meeting she has reached out to CBC [Central Bedfordshire Council], but CBC are not interested in enabling that use to happen,” according to him.
“We’re being kept at arms-length, and we just want to know how much progress [the council] is making with the NHS in enabling a multi-purpose use.”
Councillor Adam Zerny (Independent Alliance, Potton), the council’s leader, said it was a “fair question”.
“We’re having continued conversations with the ICB, there’s another meeting planned over the next couple of weeks or so,” according to him.
“I believe your question about their priorities for the town would be better put to them.
“But I can guarantee you that the interactions we have with them underscore the local community’s persistent need for amenities in both the center and the east of town.
“We acknowledge the serious concerns expressed by not only local residents, but also councillors and the local body in charge of coordinating all of this.
“We’re eager to do as much as we can, but I suspect you might find the ICB able to elaborate as to exactly where they are on that,” the official added.
Councillor Steven Watkins (Independent Alliance, Biggleswade West), the executive member for assets, business, and housing, said that the building’s deed of modification had been signed.
“So, we’re certainly not limiting ourselves and the direction of travel is a multi-use space for health provision,” he claimed.
“But we need the ICB to play ball as well.”
Councillor Mark Smith (Independent Alliance, Ampthill), the council’s executive member for adult social care and health, stated that the issue will be raised with the ICB.
“We will report back at the next meeting,” he told us.
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