Never one to miss a self-promoting gimmick in our ‘local’ press (Fav News 6 February), Whately and her Kentish Tory chums have apparently finally woken up to the healthcare crisis – created by their own party over many years. A crisis that most of us have been aware of through bitter experience for a very long time and which she and her Conservative coterie have perhaps avoided by enjoying the luxury of going private.
Helen, you claim to have had eight years of experience in the health sector so please, as a devout Tory whose policies are directly responsible for the dire circumstances in our country’s hospitals, why it has taken so long for you to wake up and be counted?
Also, given your claimed expertise on matters of healthcare, could you kindly explain how and when your lord and master Boris will perform the miracle of providing the promised 50,000 nurses given that it takes three years to train a nurse? Does Boris presume that 50,000 Brits will surge forwards to fill the gap? Likewise, there is the chronic shortage of doctors. Does the same principle apply?
And what about the low paid ancillary health workers, many from overseas? If entry to work in our country requires an income level of £26,600 per annum how will we make up the numbers? It’s obvious that this stressful, arduous and vital work is widely shunned by us picky squeamish Brits.
Helen, you obviously need to urgently seek out some reality awareness therapy! Private of course? Because you’re worth it?
John Wellard
Dear Editor,
The recent difficulties associated with the Creek Bridge bring into sharp focus what a difficult and challenging project this will be. The efforts locally in supporting the renewal of a swing bridge both in terms of money and time have been laudable and the individuals involved are to be congratulated for their commitment.
I do wonder however whether it is time to reflect on the project. Capital estimates appear now to be in the range of £2.5m to £3.0m. In addition there will be operating costs which will recur annually. It is some years since a business case was produced. An operational swing bridge may still be the right solution for regenerating the Creek area. However, it must be time for the preparation of a detailed business case setting out the costs and benefits, and best and worst case scenarios, along with an assessment of risk, and impacts on the local community. It could also include an options appraisal as to whether this is the most cost effective way to achieve the regeneration of the Creek.
A funding strategy with clear accountabilities as to who takes the financial risk should costs increase would be helpful. It is of concern that Paul Carter has made a reference to the possibility of the Town Council precept being used to assist with the costs. The Town Council tax base is narrow and carries the burden of the debt incurred in financing the Town Hall project.
As I stated earlier, an operational swing bridge may well be the right solution but let’s have an open and objective business case so we can fully understand the issues.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Ellsmore
The Brents
Faversham
Dear Faversham Eye,
“Helen Whately urges Swale Borough Council to note infrastructure fears MP calls on Authority to ditch 5,000-home garden village bid.”
Fav News (20.02.2020)
I’m completely astounded by Katie Davis’ piece in Fav News (20.02.2020). Perhaps Ms Davis is new to the area and politics. Perhaps she is unaware that Faversham and surrounding areas have been turned into building sites, on direct orders from Ms Whately MPs’ Tory government. What is printed here, with photograph, is actually propaganda, where a member of the government is accusing local councillors for the highly unpopular decision of massive building projects.
It should be noted that Ms Whately MP remained markedly silent at the horrendous Tory imposed mass-housing developments. Again, Ms Whately’s outrage and condemnation was absent as planning permission was granted, by the then Tory dominated SBC, for all the new developments in Faversham. Many of these granted then, remain on the books, the new SBC Rainbow Coalition are endeavouring to control, against further Tory enforced targets. Surely, in her new position of “increased responsibility” Ms Whately MP would be a more effective MP, by arguing against the Tory government new build targets. However, it seems her solitary concerns focus on the proposed North Street development. Is this so very odd? Or could it be anything to do with her recent move into a village, just off the A251?
Dr V. Moore
Selling