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KCC TORIES ATTACK SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION
Tory-run Kent County Council are the dominant partner in the Supporting People Commissioning Body which has recently held a “consultation” exercise concerning the future of Scheme Managers (Wardens) of sheltered accommodation complexes.
This “consultation” exercise closed on 1st June 2007 although the first many Wardens and Residents knew about it was when a leaflet arrived through their door at the end of April/beginning of May.
Basically KCC (Commissioning Body) are suggesting that many residents in Sheltered Accommodation do not need the service of Wardens and that that service should be shared by other members of the public, thus increasing the workload of Wardens and reducing the service provided to current residents.
This has led to Countywide protests by Residents who believe that the very reason they moved into sheltered accommodation is being taken away.
Leslie Christie, County Councillor for Northfleet and Gravesend West, and spokesperson for Kent County Council Labour Group said :“This issue has been handled abysmally. I have rarely seen so many older people more upset. I have met with and listened to residents in the 8 local authority sheltered accommodation complexes in my Division and each and everyone totally opposes the new proposals.
They feel cheated – they went into sheltered accommodation specifically because there was a Warden available even if as of today they don’t make much use of the service. Their real concern is they may need the Warden tomorrow. They see this as a breach of contract and worst of all they are frightened. I have a question tabled at the County Council meeting on Thursday 21st June to seek to expose the results of the alleged “consultation”."
Leslie Christie went on to say: “Older people in Kent are under attack by this KCC Tory administration. In addition to the Sheltered Accommodation farce they are also seeing a 30% increase in charges for domiciliary care charges for bathing, shopping and cleaning services. The Labour Group offered alternatives to this but the Kent Tories chose to run a new TV Channel with the same amount of money as they are saving from the new charge on the elderly."
Contacts: Leslie Christie – 01474 361564.
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