8th October 2006
Cardiff Council are in the process of tendering for care services provided to people with learning disabilities. The total budget available has been cut from £14m to £11m. The Labour Group is extremely concerned that a cut of £3m in the budget will inevitably affect the quality of care of this vulnerable group of adults.
These concerns are echoed by organisations representing services users who have called a meeting with Councillors, AM's and MP's next Tuesday to voice their concerns.
Cllr. Richard Cook, the Labour spokesperson for Social Services said:
"While I accept that some savings can be made £3m is too much in one go. We are dealing with people here not roads or waste collection. A cut of £3m must surely mean that the quality of care will be affected. I have asked for a meeting with the Corporate Director for Social Services and the Executive Member responsible to discuss this issue. I will be seeking assurances that the proposed cuts will not adversely affect the care packages that people currently get.
I am told that there has been no formal re-assessment of peoples needs, so how can the tendering organisations know what they are tendering for? They are going in blind with not enough information, this risks them under estimating what care packages are required.
There are over 1200 people employed throughout Cardiff in this area of work and if there is not enough money in the budget then jobs will be lost."
Labour Deputy Leader and Cardiff North Assembly Candidate, Sophie Howe said:
"There are no guarantees that these cuts will not impact heavily on the most vulnerable people in Cardiff and result in the loss of many jobs. The fact that service users have not been consulted on these issues which affect their lives so directly is inexcusable. This is yet another example of the Lib Dem mis-management which is causing upset and distress to people in Cardiff, in this case out most vulnerable residents."
ENDS
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