I HAVE lived in Redditch for approximately 45 years and I have witnessed Redditch slowly sinking into oblivion.
We are a market town and we haven’t got a market.
Twice in the last seven days, I have asked the market traders if they are happy where they are, next-door to Poundland, and their answer was a resounding ‘no’.
They have even gone as far as saying that Coun Matt Dormer just doesn’t listen to them. They want to have a fully-functional market outdoors where it belongs.
The Conservative Party are saying ‘no’.
A fantastic way to rejuvenate Redditch would be to get the rents in the Kingfisher Centre maintained at such a level that prominent companies want to come to Redditch and not be driven away by unaffordable rent hikes.
At the library consultation Matt Dormer plainly said that the market traders were happy where they were, no they are not.
Also Mr Dormer has to listen to all of the residents of Redditch who are saying they do not want the library to be demolished.
By moving it to the Town Hall, it is way from any meaningful footfall but most of all they will be diminishing the library space on one single reason – they have not allowed any space whatsoever for the provision of computers.
But they are still saying that the space will increase.
Wrong wrong wrong.
Rob Rowberry
Redditch
THE LIBRARY Campaign (TLC), as the national registered charity concerned with the advancement of public libraries in England and Wales, has been following developments in relation to the possible relocation of the public library in Redditch.
In particular, it has noted with considerable dismay the manner in which the public consultation covering that possible relocation has been conducted.
There are certain fundamental requirements of a properly constituted consultation which must be complied with if any decision based thereon is not to be so flawed as to be open to challenge in the courts.
These include:
1. The consultation should take place at a time when the proposals which are its subject are still in a formative stage, and
2. The input from the consultation must be conscientiously taken into account when finalising the proposals.
It is apparent from the evidence which TLC has seen that these requirements have been ignored by Worcestershire County Council, the public library authority, and Redditch Borough Council, which has direct control of the town centre development and which appears to be acting as the county council’s agents insofar as the relocation of the library is concerned.
Both councils are proceeding as if the move has already been sanctioned and only the detailed planning of the nitty-gritty of post-move requirements is outstanding (and even that is well advanced).
The current consultation does not appear to comply with the law on at least the two points listed above, and may not comply with certain others.
TLC does not intend to initiate judicial review proceedings in relation to what appears to be a blatant case of a predetermined decision because it believes that such an initiative should come from the locality affected by that decision, but will consider giving support to such a move if appropriate.
Chair of The Library Campaign
PEOPLE with Parkinson’s have been left waiting for years to access the right healthcare to stop their condition deteriorating.
Across the West Midlands, Parkinson’s UK estimates there are around 10,775 people living with the condition.
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, access to services across England was inconsistent.
Data from the 2019 Parkinson’s Audit found that only 55 per cent of people affected in the area had access to a speech and language therapist.
That’s why Parkinson’s UK has unveiled a mural in Birmingham, revealing how an NHS workforce crisis is severely affecting care for people with the condition in England.
The mural of a healthcare professional, is located in High Street, Digbeth and has given Parkinson’s UK a platform to shout this message far and wide. That people with Parkinson’s need excellent multidisciplinary health care now and in the future.
The charity has heard horrifying stories from families who have struggled to get regular support from health services for loved ones.
One patient has only seen a consultant once in three years for an online appointment, leading to crippling anxiety and poor health.
It is essential that people with Parkinson’s see specialist consultants, Parkinson’s nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and that they’re able to access mental health support.
But sadly the wait for these services is far too long. No one should receive poor care just because of where they live. This postcode lottery must end, to make sure everyone with Parkinson’s gets the support they need when they need it – wherever they are in England.
Help us to improve Parkinson’s services by emailing the health secretary – visit parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/cant-wait to get involved and fight for change.
Parkinson’s doesn’t wait. And we can’t wait.
David Swindells,
Area Development Manager at Parkinson’s UK
