Welshpool Mayor calls historic Community Meeting in fight to save hospital

The Mayor of Welshpool has called a Community Meeting to debate proposed changes to local health services and give local people the opportunity to vote on the proposals.

The meeting will take place at Welshpool Town Hall at 6.30pm on Thursday, October 22, and comes amidst terrifying proposals that could leave to Welshpool being strips of its beds, X-Ray facility and Minor Injury Unit.

Believed to be the first community meeting of its kind to be called by a Mayor of Welshpool, it will use provisions within the Local Government Act 1972 which allow the Mayor, Cllr Revd William Rowell, as Chair of the Town Council, to convene a meeting of local government electors to discuss matters affecting the community.

Unlike an ordinary meeting of Welshpool Town Council or a conventional public consultation event, the meeting is intended to provide a structured debate on the proposed health service changes before Welshpool electors are given the opportunity to express their view by secret ballot.

Powys Teaching Health Board will be invited to send a representative to explain the proposals and make the case for the proposed changes.

The Mayor also intends to invite a speaker with relevant health service experience to present an independent and reasoned case against the proposed changes, ensuring that those attending have an opportunity to hear the principal arguments on both sides.

Both speakers will be asked to address a resolution which will be published in advance of the meeting.

Following the presentations, members of the community will have an opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns and contribute to the discussion before the resolution is put to a ballot of Welshpool electors present.

Cllr Revd Rowell said: “Changes to our health services matter enormously to Welshpool and the communities which rely upon services based in our town. I want this meeting to give people a proper opportunity to hear the arguments, question them and reach their own view.

“It is important that this is a balanced discussion. If the Health Board attends to explain its proposals and the reasons behind them, I also want those attending to hear a sensible and properly argued alternative perspective from someone with relevant health service experience.

“This is not simply another council meeting or consultation exercise. A Community Meeting gives the electors of Welshpool an opportunity to come together, debate an issue of real importance to our town and then formally express their view.

“At the end of the meeting, Welshpool electors will be asked to vote by ballot on a resolution published in advance. Whatever the outcome, it will provide a clear democratic expression of the view reached by those attending after hearing the arguments.

“I hope as many people as possible will come to the Town Hall on October 22, listen to the debate, ask questions and take part.”

The formal resolution, meeting notice, speakers and further arrangements will be announced ahead of the meeting.