A FORMER Tilbury councillor, who worked with a local company to provide funding for new defibrillators in the town, has spoken of his disappointment that Thurrock Council will not contribute to the ongoing maintenance of the lifesaving devices.

Now John Allen, is hoping a sponsor will step forward to bridge the gap.

In March Thurrock Nub News reported on the efforts of Mr Allen to secure funding for defibrillators from a local firm, Montana Property Development, which is based in the town.

In the wake of that news, former independent councillor Mr Allen, who lost his St Chads ward seat in May's local elections, contacted the council and asked if it would be prepared to support the installations by supporting maintenance of the lifesaving heart machines.

However, he was disappointed to receive the following response from Natalie Smith, the council's strategic lead for community development who was awarded a British Empire Medal in the 2019 New Years Honours List for services to the borough: "The council does not currently have a policy for adopting defibrillators.

"We have enabled the installation of a number of defibrillators sponsored by the community where there is an organisation willing to oversee the registration and upkeep of the defibrillator – on such occasions we have explored the connection requirements and absorbed the electricity costs.

"We are keen to work with key stakeholders, including community forums, to explore a joined up approach to the installation of defibrillators in the community to ensure these are well supported and known about by the wider community.

"I will be speaking with colleagues about this in the New Year and I would be very happy to speak to yourself or the Forum further on this point.

"In the meantime we can only support the installation where a sponsor organisation takes responsibility for the registration and upkeep of a device.

"If you are connected with an organisation that is willing to take on this role, and you wish to pursue installation on a council property, please let me know and I will seek to liaise with the relevant team to explore further."

Mr Allen said: "I find it difficult to overcome my extreme disappointment with the council for not offering to cover or sponsor the upkeep of this life saving equipment which will better the chances of residents' survival in the event of cardiac arrest.

"I hope that it may be possible that a local firm or organisation will step forward to help ensure these four devices can be mounted at strategic places in our community."