April 24, 2010 at 1:44 pm | Posted in North West | Comments Off
Tags: elderly, emergency accommodation, older people, Saying one thing, South Ribble, victim support, voluntary sector
David Cameron says that he will,
“Create a supportive funding environment for volunteer-based charities and community groups.”
And on the Conservative website, they say,
“We need to help those elderly people who are amongst the most vulnerable in our society.”
But in Tory-run South Ribble, grant funding was cut in 2009 and again in 2010 from four vital projects which help the most vulnerable in the community.
£10,000 cut from South Ribble’s Women’s Refuge
The group provide homes for women and children fleeing domestic violence and help over 100 people every year.
£13,000 cut from emergency accommodation
Leyland-based charity SLEAP provides emergency accommodation for homeless youngsters aged 15-25 but has had its funding cut by the council. This is despite a 300% increase last year in the number of people using the service. Last year SLEAP had to turn away 100 young people because of a lack of funding.
£5,000 per year cut from support for older people
Anchor Staying Put supports older people through care homes, sheltered housing, care at home and home improvements. They provided help and support to more than 4,000 people in South Lancashire since April 2008.
£5,000 per year cut from Victim Support
David Cameron says one thing whilst his councils are doing another.
David Borrow, MP for South Ribble
April 22, 2010 at 7:48 am | Posted in Midlands | Comments Off
Tags: cuts, day centre, elderly, meals on wheels, Unfairness, wolverhampton, young people
The Tory/Lib Dem leadership of Wolverhampton Council has passed a budget taking a decision to go for full cost recovery for all but the most basic of public services. This is hitting families and vulnerable people with charges they can’t afford for services they need.
In September 2009, Wolverhampton Council proposed a new round of £7.6 million spending cuts on top of the £14.3 million they had already proposed in February 2009.
The cuts and hike in charges include:
• Hot meal charges for the elderly to be raised by a whopping 83% in total
• Cremation fees will rise 6%, internment fees by 5% and grave lease fees by 50%.
• Cuts of £300K in the Youth Service and £46k in community play.
• Closure of the Visitor Information Centre in Queens Square.
• Cuts of £200K in grants to Voluntary Sector Neighbourhood and Community Safety.
• Reduction in opening hours of Anchor Lane and Shaw Road Civic Amenity sites.
• Merry Hill and Langley Court Day Centres for the elderly to be closed.
• Blakenhall Resource Centre, a respite centre for older people with mental health needs, to be privatised.
Information provided by Councillor Roger Lawrence, Leader of the Labour Group, Wolverhampton Council
April 22, 2010 at 7:44 am | Posted in Midlands | Comments Off
Tags: Coventry, cuts, elderly, meals on wheels, Unfairness, young people
Tory-run Coventry City Council has consistently hit the most vulnerable with cuts and hefty increases in charges.
In the budgets for 2007/08 and 2008/9, charges for meals on wheels increased by 60% and over half a million pounds was withdrawn from the councils budget to promote independence for older people.
They also tried to close workshops for people with learning difficulties and reduced the budget for children leaving care by £150,000 whilst stopping before and after school clubs.
The Tories are hitting the most vulnerable with charges they can’t afford for services they need.
April 21, 2010 at 2:30 pm | Posted in Midlands | Comments Off
Tags: cuts, elderly, leisure centre, Saying one thing, sport, volunteer, Walsall, women
On the Conservative’s website they say,
“We need to help those elderly people who are amongst the most vulnerable in our society.”
But Tory-run Walsall council has voted to cut more than £5million from adult social services funding. They have so far not let on where the cuts will fall.
Shadow Minister for Women, Theresa May, says she,
“Welcomes any measures to make it easier for (women) to get on with their lives free from abuse.”
David Cameron says he wants to,
“Create a supportive funding environment for volunteer-based charities and community groups.”
But Walsall Tories have slashed funding by £77k for a domestic violence unit that has reduced violent incidents by 12% in 2009.
The Conservatives say that they are,
“Committed to fostering an environment in which sport can flourish.”
But the Walsall Tory budget for 2010-11 which is likely to force Willenhall Leisure Centre to close.
Walsall Tories are also cutting the opening hours to public toilets in the borough resulting in shorter opening hours.
Tories are saying one thing nationally and another locally.
Information provided by Councillor Tim Oliver, Leader of the Labour Group, Walsall Council.
April 20, 2010 at 2:49 pm | Posted in London | Comments Off
Tags: Bexley, CCTV, council tax, elderly, Fairtrade, green, home care, meals on wheels, privatise, Saying one thing
David Cameron told Conservative councillors,
“You demonstrate Conservative government. Your values… represent our party in action.”
They also say,
“We need to help those elderly people who are amongst the most vulnerable in our society.”
But Tory-run Bexley has announced extra charges for home care services and emergency lifeline services, reducing home care services for the most vulnerable.
Bexley Tories have also axed meals on wheels services for the elderly.
Meanwhile, the Tory council is only one of four councils in London, three of which are Tory and one Lib-Dem, to announce a rise in council tax for 2010 – 11.
The Tories on the council have also approved a plan to privatise CCTV in the borough which would cost local taxpayers an extra £200,000 a year.
Shadow International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, says,
“As Conservatives, we’re enthusiastic about the achievements and future potential of the Fair Trade movement. We welcome the annual Fairtrade Fortnight.”
But Tory councillors have vetoed plans for Bexley to become a Fair Trade borough.
The Tories say one thing nationally whilst their councillors in Bexley do another.
Information provided by Howard Dawber, PPC Bexleyheath and Crayford
April 20, 2010 at 11:29 am | Posted in London | Comments Off
Tags: elderly, hammersmith, London, personal care, Unfairness
Conservative Hammersmith & Fulham broke a manifesto commitment to
bring in a new £12.40 home care charge for essential care. A leaked council
email shows that people receiving care said they had to go without after
receiving the bill, meaning that only those who can pay get the services they
needed.
