Goldsmiths elderly people's home, already facing uncertainty about its future, has 'gone missing' from the 2004/5 issue of the Essex & Hertfordshire Care Services Directory.

Harlow's Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman Lorna Spenceley has written to county councillor Derek Robinson, the Tory cabinet member for community care, to ask why. Mrs Spenceley says:

"The situation regarding the future for Goldsmiths is currently very confused indeed, and it appears to me that Essex County Council has a duty to clarify for the benefit of staff and residents exactly what its intentions are.

"Essex County Council is currently advertising for more staff for Goldsmiths, despite the fact that resident numbers at Goldsmiths appear to be being run down and existing staff are uncertain about their future. The disappearance of any mention of Goldsmiths from the latest Care Services Directory will add to the speculation. Cllr Robinson needs to respond by being open and honest about his plans for Goldsmiths' future."