No Value, No Choice, No Low Taxes in Social Care, say Lib Dems (Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrats)

Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrats <info@oxwablibdems.org.uk>

No Value, No Choice, No Low Taxes in Social Care, say Lib Dems

February 11, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats

Recommending the Liberal Democrat alternative budget for older people to Council yesterday, Cllr Gail Bones, Shadow Cabinet member for Social & Community Services, said: "This administration was elected on a promise of low taxes, real choice and value for money.

"In all three aspects for our fellow citizens who rely on support from adult social services it is clear that they have failed to deliver.

"Council tax will rise by more than inflation at a time where the most vulnerable in our community see the value of their savings reduce, the value of their pensions decline and for those who can still work, the opportunities for work decrease.

"And despite this there will be less choice and fewer services available.

"For the most vulnerable in our county there is no value for money. In fact, there is no money."

The Liberal Democrat alternative focused on services for older people, where the service reductions made in the Cabinet budget actually amount to more than the pressures. It increases the spending by £600K above the Cabinet's proposals.

An additional £250k was allocated to extending services for older carers who will bear the brunt of any hitches of funding insufficiences associated with the 'transformation' of services to keep more people at home for longer. Older parents of middle aged children with learning disabilities suffer particular problems and anxieties. The Corporate Plan commits itself only to increasing the number of carers receiving a needs assessment and specific service or advice and information to a mere 20% in 2009/10. 20% seems very low.

The Liberal Democrat budget put £235k more than the Conservatives into Occupational Therapy and equipment, recognising that the demands on this crucial service are constantly increasing. It is evident that the availability of better equipment at home is a key factor in enabling people to be discharged from hospital.

The Cabinet budget included a huge pressure of £1m from 'savings not identified in 2008/9'. Cllr Janet Godden commented, "We think it is sheer whistling in the wind to think that all the measures proposed will do the trick. These are the things that did not work last year, and some of them look pretty undesirable. We have put in £133k to be used where it is most needed."

The Liberal Democrat budget also included £50k for the Money Management service to help it to reduce its backlog and facilitate the introduction of a new database. This service helps those clients who lack the capacity to handle their financial affairs, whether older people, people with learning difficulties or people with mental health problems. Without this support these people are liable to serious financial exploitation, or end up needing more services through becoming unintentionally homeless.