Candidate questions Pelsall health centre plans
Candidate questions Pelsall health centre plans
Adam Lumley The YamYam 9 Mar 10
A recently selected Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Aldridge Brownhills has wasted no time in taking an interest in local issues and has commented on projects in Pelsall and Aldridge.
The announcement that Welsh born Ian Jenkins will stand for the Liberal Democrats against sitting MP, Richard Shepherd, was made on Saturday. Mr Jenkins, 59, is Chairman of Wolverhampton East Liberal Democrats and the next general election will be his fifth attempt to gain a parliamentary seat.
Following a meeting with Pelsall Heritage Group, Mr Jenkins has raised concerns over the proposed new health centre and the possibility of an extension of the Heritage Area in Pelsall.
“The plans under consideration involve an expansion of the Conservation Area,” Mr Jenkins said. “I am fully supportive of the need for the unique character of The Green to be respected, and would not approve of any proposed development which would impinge upon it. I am, however, concerned that there is always a balance which needs to be achieved, so that householders can continue to develop and improve their properties without the need for bureaucracy, as long as such improvements do not spoil the look of the area.”
Regarding the proposed new Medical Centre he said “This is most welcome, and the people of Pelsall will find it of great benefit. But we need to know more details…what will it include, and will the design suit the local environment?
“Furthermore, it seems that the area behind Town Fold has already been surveyed and staked out, yet planning permission has NOT yet been granted. Are ‘they’ trying to get it started before a General Election, so that it isn’t cancelled by an incoming Conservative Government taking an axe to all kinds of public spending?”
Funding for the £4 million project was secured last August and is a joint venture between Walsall Council and NHS Walsall. The centre will be built on the site of the existing GP’s surgery on Pelsall High Street and will incorporate a health centre, children's centre and Pelsall Library.
Walsall Council has received funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families of around £600,000 for the children's centre aspect of the development. The library element has £350,000 of capital funding from the council and the Strategic Health Authority is providing £3million over two years for the health centre. Speaking in August at the time of the announcement, Denise McLellan, chief executive of NHS Walsall, said: "It is a great step forward to improving the health needs of the people of Walsall.
"We are already in talks with many Pelsall residents and want to continue to work with them and the other residents of Pelsall to get their ideas about what they want from the new building not just in terms of the services but also the design."
Walsall Council Cabinet member for communities and partnerships Councillor Garry Perry, again speaking in August, said: "Walsall Council and NHS Walsall have listened to what residents want and this combined centre will make a real difference to their lives and their future."
Mr Jenkins, along with Roy Sheward, the Lib Dem council candidate for Aldridge South & Central Ward, attended a public consultation day held on Saturday at Aldridge Shopping Centre. The consultation showcased proposals for improvements to The Croft open space. Brian Wheat, Aldridge Rotary Club president, said: “We are pleased to be involved in this initiative with Walsall Council and the Aldridge Village Business Partnership which aims to improve public access to The Croft and help it to become a focal point, adding to the family and heritage features that the community currently enjoys.”
Mr Jenkins said: ”I congratulate the parties involved because I welcome genuine consultation events, such as this, which offer residents a real opportunity to be involved in influencing what happens in their own community.
“We wish the Council and Rotary Club all the best and hope they are able to secure the funding to bring those ideas backed by the community to life.”
Aldridge & Brownhills Lib Dems 6 Mar 10 Lib Dem candidate named for Aldridge and Brownhills
Walsall Advertiser 25 Jan 10 £4m Pelsall centre plans will go on show
Advertiser 18 August 09 Funding for £4m Pelsall health centre plan is finalised
Express & Star 16 Jul Pelsall health centre plan go-ahead
Blog Cllr Marco Longhi 27 Jun State-of-the-art combined facility for Pelsall
Blog Cllr Garry Perry 27 Jun Combined family centre
Wolverhampton Lib Dems Contacts
Walsall Council Aldridge Consultation