Council leader blames Government as Hucknall health centre plans mothballed again

Prior to May’s county council elections, the Ashfield Independents, who control Ashfield Council, claimed the authority was on the verge of buying the building on Portland Road in what they dubbed ‘the sale of the century’.

Furthermore, the Independents said they had more than £1m put aside for the project.

But now Coun Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), Ashfield Council leader, has confirmed the council hasn’t bought the building, which is now being advertised for sale for £1.5m by property developers FHP.

And the council leader pointed the finger of blame at the Government – but Hucknall’s Labour MP Michelle Welsh said the Independents were the ones to blame for ‘misleading the public’.

Coun Zadrozny said: “No, the council hasn’t brought it, as the money we had allocated this was specifically ring-fenced for medical provision and as the Labour Government have pulled the NHS from further discussions on that site, we couldn’t buy it just speculatively.

"Frankly, it’s a disgusting state of affairs that Hucknall residents are continuously dangled the carrot and then the Government take it away."

But Ms Welsh replied: “The Government have not pulled anybody from any discussions.

"The council hadn’t agreed a deal or even secured the partnership required to deliver medical services.

"Despite that, they chose to mislead the public - and now they’re blaming everyone but themselves.

“The Ashfield Independents made promises they couldn’t keep and now they’re lashing out because they’ve been caught out.”

Prior to May’s county council elections, the Nottinghamshire County Independent Group at County Hall – of which Hucknall’s three Ashfield Independent county councillors were members and Coun Zadrozny was leader – called it a ‘ground-breaking deal that will forever transform the way healthcare is delivered’.

They added that ‘after years of campaigning, Ashfield Council is on the verge of acquiring the Hucknall Sixth Form Centre, which will be redeveloped into the long-awaited Super Health Centre’.

But since the election, at which the Independents lost nine of their 10 seats, including two of their three in Hucknall, all talk of the health centre has gone quiet.

Moreover, Nottinghamshire Healthcare, when asked by your Dispatch about the project earlier this year, said initial discussions had taken place but that ‘a number of barriers would need to be overcome for the project to go ahead – most notably, the significant capital and revenue funding required’.

Now, the project is back in mothballs again after previous plans to site the new centre, first on Piggins Croft Car Park and then on the site of the old Seven Stars pub in the town, both also came to nothing after NHS England said there was no capital funding available for the scheme.

Coun Zadrozny continued: “We remain committed to purchasing a site and have the money in the bank ready but until the Government give the NHS the green light to again enter into negotiations about provision for Hucknall, we are entirely hamstrung.

"And we have literally no idea why the Government has stopped the NHS from even negotiating or speaking to us about future plans.

"It seems pretty clear Labour will not be investing in any way in new provision for the area.”

Former county councillor Lee Waters (Ash Ind), who represents Hucknall Central on the district council, added: "Ashfield Council has done exactly what was asked of us, we put our money on the table, ring-fenced and ready to go, to deliver the health facilities Hucknall desperately needs.

"The NHS inspected the sixth form centre months ago and had been very keen and happy with the site but has now walked away because the new Labour Government has blocked any further talks.

"We can’t just buy the building without an NHS commitment, but we’re ready to sign the deal tomorrow if they’re allowed back round the table.

"It’s disgraceful that Hucknall residents keep being promised better healthcare, only to have it ripped away at the last minute.

"We want this to happen, we’re ready, the money is ready, but this Government is failing Hucknall yet again."

But Ms Welsh said: “I remain focused on working constructively with the NHS, the Department of Health and local partners to secure real investment and a viable new health facility for Hucknall – not fantasy projects, photo ops, or false hope.”