Making a difference to the people of Medway

Letter to the Times on the Personal Care at Home Bill

Letter posted on Thursday, 11 February 2010

Sir, I would echo the concerns raised by my fellow councillors who are responsible for adult social care in England (The Times, letter, Feb 10). While it is important to improve services for the elderly where we can, this Bill ignores the financial realities that local authorities are currently facing. Forcing already hard-stretched councils to find further “efficiency savings” to fund care at home will only lead to an erosion of other key services.

Here in Medway, we believe that these proposals will cost up to £5.2 million every year, which amounts to an additional increase of 6 per cent on local council tax bills. The only alternative left is to make cuts.

Medway has faced the combined effects of the recession, Gershon targets and swingeing reductions. Unfortunately there are only so many savings that can be made before essential frontline services are hit, such as children’s social care, waste services and libraries.

Councillor Tom Mason Portfolio Holder for Adult Services Medway Council, Kent