A DEBATE over the standard of care at Basildon and Thurrock Hospital prompted a furious reaction from an irate councillor at Tuesday’s meeting of Thurrock Council.
Opposition leader Garry Hague had asked Council leader John Kent to update members on what action had been taken to resolve issues at the hospital in a recent report into its standards of care and cleanliness.
Cllr Kent responded by saying the Corporate Director of Community Wellbeing had written to the Secretary of State, expressing the Council’s concern.
Cllr Hague appeared less than satisfied and quizzed his counterpart, prompting a further response that Cllr Kent was determined to ensure pressure was kept up and he paid tribute to Conservative councillors Amanda Arnold (pictured) and Wendy Herd for giving up their position on the Council’s hospital watchdog committee to stand for election as hospital governors.
However, he said he hoped Cllr Arnold would do more than when she had last represented the Council on the governors, when she failed to attend any meetings.
This prompted a fiesty outburst from Cllr Arnold, who rose to demand an explanation of his comments – though she didn’t deny she hadn’t attended, but instead said others, including Labour representatives had failed to attend. Cllr Kent remained impassive, with Cllr Arnold then raising her voice, speaking angrily and demanding an apology, which wasn’t forthcoming.
Eventually the mayor, Cllr Anne Cheale brought the confrontation to a halt, moving to other matters.
It’s a shame that this has been totally mis-reported as is usual in Your Thurrock. I was there at this meeting and, this was obviously an attempt at a smear campaign as, Cllr Kent knows that if Amanda Arnold and Wendy Herd are elected as governors, his job on the board of the hospital is in danger. The reason that Amanda did not attend is because, the Labour representatives chose not attend so, the meetings were cancelled and re-scheduled for times that were not convenient for her.
Amanda why oh why do you let these Labour slum dogs get the last word, your intelligence far exceeds any of their pea brains. your trouble is that you care very much for your residents which leaves you open for attack by these scum bags. Take heart Amanda you have not lost face in the eyes of the residents infact your popularity is growing stronger by the day, because you are a Councillor we know we can trust, just wait till May then see who will be laughing then. Good bye John Kent.
Deidre Lodge
Why should John Kent apologise to Amanda Arnold?
She can screach and wail like a woman possessed but John Kent told the truth.
She was appointed to represent Thurrock Council at Basildon Hospital as a member of the board. She couldn’t be bothered to attend a single meeting.
Her pantomine performance has helped highlight the fact she never attended a single meeting.
John Kent told the truth and stated facts. How can he be a ‘scum bag’?