A WELLINGTON councillor believes an invited guest at a council meeting deserves an apology after being ‘dropped in it’ over the planned closure of Stratfield House.

Cllr John Thorne was left dismayed that Stephan Chandler, director of adult social services at Somerset County Council, was given a difficult evening at last month’s town council meeting over a subject that was not even on the agenda.

“We have dropped him in it,” said Cllr Thorne. “The item we had on the agenda was to discuss Wellington Hospital – not Stratfield House. I think we owe him an apology.”

Mr Chandler fielded a string of questions from angry and concerned people at the meeting who believe the planned closure of Stratfield House in January will have a detrimental impact on services in the Wellington area for those with dementia and their carers.

It is council policy to only discuss items listed on an agenda and while talks were planned about Wellington Community Hospital and the closure of the Popham Court Care Home, no mention as made of Stratfield House.

Cllr Thorne was told, however, that Mr Chandler had agreed with council officers before the meeting that he would answer questions about the planned closure of Stratfield House in Bulford as the issue was expected to come up during public question time.