Llangollen Protest, the campaign group
which opposes the closure of Llan Cottage Hospital, has issued its official response
to a statement on the issue from Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates,
published earlier today by llanblogger.
Unedited,
it reads:
“I'm at a loss to understand Mr Skate's
claim to be representing the community's views to Betsi Cadwaladr.
“At the public meeting, although he was
not invited to speak, it was by very definition, public, and he had the same
right of entry as everyone else.
“Had he attended, he would have been
left in no doubt whatsoever what the residents' views are.
“Perhaps he would be good enough to
cease negotiating with Betsi Cadwaladr until the results of the referendum are
in, and then there can be no doubts.
“I am also concerned at his insistence
on diminishing the importance of the Powys Fadog project as merely a Martial
Arts centre.
“Perhaps he should read about the
project or speak with Pol Wong before writing Constituency Updates which display
so little understanding of the facts.
“I am greatly alarmed, in fact, that he
should write such blatantly misleading and undeniably incorrect statements as
"a damning report recently
condemning the previous idea of converting it into a Shaolin martial arts
centre".
“There is no such report. In
fact, the idea itself, which Mr Skates disparages, has never met with anything
but high praise.
“Indeed, who would, or could, condemn
the idea of a community hub with childcare facilities, social facilities, Welsh
language tutelage as well as proven benefits in youth training, among other
good intentions?
“In the recent past, Mr Skates has also
claimed to have negotiated with Sainsbury's on behalf of the community - once
again without consulting a single person first.
“I would ask Mr Skates to kindly cease
and desist trying to obtain benefits for the community, at least until we've
found out what his idea of benefits are and whether we, the residents, would
actually consider them to be of benefit to us.
“Mr Skates must be sharply reminded
that he is a representative, not a delegate.”
Llangollen
Protest
First, thank you for taking the time to blog for Llangollen, it is much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming that the earlier report you mention is this one:
http://llanblogger.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/assembly-member-states-his-case-on.html
Even with a text search I can find no mention of a 'damning report'.
The facilities claimed for a new health centre would appear to be the equal if not better than the present facilities. Perhaps the LPs would discuss what they have against the new plans. It appears their main objection is the loss of the community centre plans if the health centre is built.
With the present information, which is very sparse, and given a choice between the two, the health centre gets my support.
Given the nature of blogs which allow long reflection, could we have more facts and less rhetoric from both sides?