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Lewisham’s Green Party councillors warned today (Wed 12 Dec)
that some cuts to adult social care, supposedly ruled out by the
Mayor’s recent public u-turn, are still on the agenda.
If implemented tonight at Mayor & Cabinet, they will mean all
adults in the ‘moderate needs’ category would have their
vital care withdrawn, saving £100K, and they would see a day
centre closed, saving another £250K. [See Notes 1]
The Mayor will also have to decide tonight on whether to increase
charges for adult social care, considering charging plans that could
mean service users collectively forking out up to £500K.
Green finance spokesperson Cllr Ute Michel said:
“After an outcry from residents the Mayor promised to back
down on withdrawing services from vulnerable people, so it’s
deeply worrying to discover some cuts are still on the agenda for
his decision-making tonight.
“The devastating effect these £350K cuts would have on
disabled and older people, and on their dedicated carers, has been
spelled out loud and clear, and the Mayor must honour his promise
to rule them out.
“The other issue of increasing charges for social care is also
very worrying, and I urge the Mayor to reject the increase of £500K
for service users and to soften any blow as much as possible. He
should listen to service users when they tell him how it would affect
their ability to lead full and independent lives and pay basic household
bills and how it would put additional pressure on their carers.
The evidence is there that this doesn’t make sense in any way.”
Notes to Editors
See Mayor & Cabinet paper ‘Revenue budget savings proposals
2008/09 – Strand 1 Additional and Strand 2 Budget Balance Options’,
which will go before the Mayor for decision on 12 December. Paragraph
17.1 reads:
COM 30 – FAIR ACCESS TO CARE SERVICES CRITERIA
Saving proposal £350K (Corporate priority H)
The removal of moderate FACS criteria to existing clients allowing
for the closure of 1 day centre and reduction in care packages.
£250K day centre closure, £100K reduction in care packages
Cllr Ute Michel is available for comment on 07960 446 771.
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