TORY COUNCILLORS TO PRESS AHEAD WITH LIVE-IN WARDEN CUTS
April 25, 2007 3:54 PM
a lifeline for residents, many of whom are frail, and have no family support
A KCC report has confirmed that controversial plans to remove live-in wardens in sheltered accommodation were backed by 7 councillors, six of whom represent Tory Authorities.
The report about consultation on cutting wardens and means-testing charges for all community alarms was considered by KCC's Adult Services Policy Overview Committee on 24 April, in Maidstone.
It confirmed that the consultation document was launched by the Kent Supporting People Commissioning Body - Membership of the Commissioning Body includes seven councillors, six of whom represent Conservative Authorities and one Labour Authority. (See note to Editors).
Councillors were told the Commissioning Body members cast their votes on behalf of their Authorities, and if there was no consensus, decisions had to be referred to the Secretary of State.
Trudy Dean, Leader of KCC Lib Dem Group, opposing the plans said "What you are telling me is that 6 Tories and 1 Labour Councillor have supported these plans when any one of them could have stopped it. That's a monstrous abuse of power".
Officers agreed with Trudy that the KCC representative (Kevin Lynes) on the Commissioning Body had not referred the matter to fellow Councillors before lending his support to the consultation. It was also confirmed that Councillors had not received prior notice of consultation meetings.
Trudy read Members part of a letter sent to her by residents of Waterside Court, Leybourne, who described the Resident Warden (scheme-manager) as a "lifeline for the residents, many of whom are frail, and have no family support". "The main reason why the residents are (here) is the security and support given by the on-site warden scheme manager".
Residents described the plan to remove the warden as "inexcusable"
Trudy also pointed out that all residents would have given up their homes to move to sheltered accommodation because of the on-site provision, and they felt "betrayed".