ELDERLY PEOPLE TO PAY MORE, DISABLED PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR CENTRE

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 19th Feb 2008

alternative facilities" will be provided - but so far no details have been given

During the Debate on the Adult Social Service and Health budget, at the Kent County Council meeting on the 19 February 2008, George Koowaree, Liberal Democrat Portfolio Holder spoke of his concerns regarding the domiciliary charging policy and the loss of frontline provision in the County Council's budget for next year.

George expressed his disappointment that the Adult Social Service Directorate are continuing to raise an additional income of £842,000 through its policy to increase charging for domiciliary in an individuals own home, in 2008/09.

George argued "Our most vulnerable citizens in Kent are losing up to 20% of their income at a time when other essential household costs such as energy and food bills are soaring". He declared "This is not only outrageous but immoral when Kent is forecasting a £5million under spend for the current financial year".

A petition signed by 5,000 has been delivered to this Council this morning by members of the Bridge Court Action Group. This centre, like others across the county, has been targeted for closure. Disabled people have been told "alternative facilities" will be provided for them - but so far no details have been given.

George stated "Keeping the centres open has not been offered as an option because services must apparently be community based". He challenged "One alternative might be to make these centres a community base by allowing access to the centre for the general public so that its facilities can remain open but be used by everyone. In any event, clients need to know what the alternative facilities are before they can reply to the consultation without that, its not consultation, its dictation. ".