No help for the vulnerable in South Ribble

April 24, 2010 at 1:44 pm | Posted in North West | Comments Off on No help for the vulnerable in South Ribble
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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

Calderdale Tories putting the vulnerable at risk

April 23, 2010 at 1:27 pm | Posted in Yorkshire and the Humber | Comments Off on Calderdale Tories putting the vulnerable at risk
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David Cameron says that,

“We need to help those elderly people who are amongst the most vulnerable in our society.”

But Tory-run Calderdale is putting the most vulnerable at risk by splitting responsibility for all home care in the district between six private companies and the council.  This is to save £200,000 from the council budget.

This is another example of Tories saying one thing nationally and doing another locally.

Norfolk Tories propose shutting day centres for the elderly

April 22, 2010 at 3:06 pm | Posted in South East | Comments Off on Norfolk Tories propose shutting day centres for the elderly
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The Conservative website says,

“We need to help those elderly people who are amongst the most vulnerable in our society”.

Tory-run Norfolk Council are proposing to close two day centres for older people in the face of  local opposition.  The closure of the Essex and Silver Room centres will reduce the number of day services places by 300. At the current occupancy rate this will displace up to 188 people from their current day centres.

Cuts in Wolverhampton target the elderly and the vulnerable

April 22, 2010 at 7:48 am | Posted in Midlands | Comments Off on Cuts in Wolverhampton target the elderly and the vulnerable
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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

No respect for Coventry’s elderly

April 22, 2010 at 7:45 am | Posted in Midlands | Comments Off on No respect for Coventry’s elderly
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The Conservative Party website says,

“We need to help those elderly people who are amongst the most vulnerable in our society.”

Under the Tories in Coventry, elderly and disabled residents will pay 40% more for services such as home care and meals on wheels.

Cuts in Coventry hit the most vulnerable

April 22, 2010 at 7:44 am | Posted in Midlands | Comments Off on Cuts in Coventry hit the most vulnerable
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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.

Saying one thing, doing another in Walsall

April 21, 2010 at 2:30 pm | Posted in Midlands | Comments Off on Saying one thing, doing another in Walsall
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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.

Cuts and hikes in charges from Bexley Tories

April 20, 2010 at 2:49 pm | Posted in London | Comments Off on Cuts and hikes in charges from Bexley Tories
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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

Westminster Tories cut nearly 80 voluntary projects

April 20, 2010 at 1:38 pm | Posted in London | Comments Off on Westminster Tories cut nearly 80 voluntary projects
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David Cameron says he wants to,

“Create a supportive funding environment for volunteer-based charities and community groups.”

Tory-run Westminster has refused funding for nearly 80 voluntary projects, cutting half a million pounds from this budget.  Many of these projects have been recognised by the Council as delivering important services for the most vulnerable in the community.

This is another example of the Tories saying one thing and doing another.

Paying for essential care

April 20, 2010 at 11:29 am | Posted in London | Comments Off on Paying for essential care
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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.

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