'Closure of Respite Homes is wrong' says Liberal Democrats.

2.53.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 12th Sep 2006

Councillor David Garlick

"Closing Cranwell Respite Centre and changing the use of Quarry House Respite Centre is both wrong and unnecessary, and is putting budget cuts before people's needs" according to Lib Dem Social Services Spokesman, Councillor David Garlick.

"The report to the County Council's Cabinet states that there is an over provision of approximately ten beds. However closing Cranwell and Quarry House will remove twenty six beds. This means that there will be an under provision of sixteen beds. What are the alternative provisions that are being provided to support those people and their carers?" asks Cllr. Garlick.

The County Council report has no definite answer to this question apart from saying that if the proposed changes to the Eligibility Criteria to Social Care Services are approved by cabinet, which they have been, then few if any of the existing people currently supported by Cranwell and Quarry House will be eligible for respite care. "Adult Placements" have been suggested as an alternative but there is no guarantee that enough volunteers could be found to provide this service.

"Service users have been consulted, and all are opposed to the closures, yet the Conservatives on the County Council are going ahead in their usual uncaring way ignoring the consultation results (which is becoming a habit) and pushing through these closures purely to meet budget cuts" says Cllr. Garlick.

"Had the Liberal Democrats alternative budget been adopted by the County Council then these closures would not be required and the council could continue to fund this vital respite care" added Cllr. Garlick.