I’M surprised and disgusted that the anti-Rayleigh faction at Rochford District Council is about to further their expensive consultants’ plans for new council offices at the cost of around £3million using the Covid situation as an excuse to close and replace Mill Hall and the Civic Suite with yet more flats.

This cynical manoeuvre will rip the heart out of our community and I hope that our Rayleigh Tory district councillors will look after their residents and not just follow the party whip.

They failed to make any protest at this outrageous plan being pushed forward without any form of public consultation whatsoever.

Private company Fusion’s financial difficulties should not be used as a reason to close much-loved and needed facilities.

RON OATHAM

Brixham Close, Rayleigh

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