Day care centres may still be open but the question is whether there will be enough staff to man them (Adult Social Care petition launched, January 29).

At a recent council meeting on this issue, three members of the public that use the council’s day centres (All Saints and High Path) spoke about how £200,0000 of cuts to these services would affect them and their carers (for whom the centres provide vital respite).  Many councillors and officers could not fail to have had a lump in their throat and tears in their eyes - I know I did.

These cuts are replacement savings. This means that the savings are required because Labour has failed to deliver on previous efficiency programmes. In other words, disabled residents are paying the price for Labour incompetence.

To add insult to injury, while making cuts to disabled services Labour still find at least £250,000 a year to spend on My Merton and other marketing activities (telling people what a great council they are!) and are planning unnecessarily to spend £7million on the introduction of wheelie bins.

Every party, whatever their colour, recognises that efficiencies need to be made in order to clear up the economic mess created by 13 years of Labour government.

But Labour Merton’s choice to cut adult social care services, due to their own economic mismanagement, while still having money to spend on self-publicity and pet projects, is unacceptable.

This uncaring administration must not be allowed to continue to ruin the lives of so many people who need and deserve to be looked after.

This is what makes me and my colleagues so determined to try and save this cut from being made. And it’s why Conservative councillors are forcing a debate on it at full council on 4th February.

Please sign the petition at: www.change.org/p/stephen-alambritis-stop-think-consult-before-slashing-14-million-from-adult-social-care

Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender

Health and Older People Spokesman, Merton Conservative Group

 

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