Council tax plea to save day centres

DAN GRIMMER
28 November 2009 13:00



People should be asked whether they would be prepared to pay a little more on their council tax to save two Norwich day centres facing the axe, union bosses said today.

All this week the Evening News has been running stories about the Essex and Silver Rooms, which are being proposed for closure by Norfolk County Council.

The proposals are being vigorously opposed by pensioners, politicians and worried family members, who say their loved ones will be left isolated if the facilities are shut.

The Conservative-controlled county council has said the proposals are part of a switch in policy, which will see council-run day services focus on people with dementia and what are known as reablement services - where people can learn the skills they need to live independently.

David Harwood, cabinet member for adult social services, wrote in an article which appeared in the Evening News this week that: “Our department is facing cost pressures of £15.9m in the coming year, which is forcing us to make some very difficult decisions.

“In fact, the cost of not finding these savings against our financial pressures would, in theory, add close to 5pc to county council tax bills - which is something none of us would want to see. We must ensure that our services are sustainable.”

But Jonathan Dunning, county secretary for UNISON, which has members who work in the Essex and Silver Rooms, said: “His quote seems to rule out Norfolk County Council continuing providing the service and he makes what we believe is a crass assumption when saying “none of us would want to see” an increase in council tax bills to help fund the shortfall facing adult social services.

“UNISON believes there are a large number of people who would be prepared to pay more council tax to retain vital services.

“We call on Mr Harwood to include as part of the consultation on the future of the Silver and Essex Rooms how much extra it would cost per week for council tax payers to retain the rooms…”

In response, Mr Harwood said: “It would be really difficult to do that as part of the consultation, because you would be asking such a narrow number of people compared to the wider base from which the council tax is drawn from.

“We wouldn't be asking other people, some of whom might be struggling to pay their council tax already, who might give a different answer.

“We have done that sort of survey before and people say they don't want council tax to go up if it can be helped, but they want the council to spend money as efficiently as possible.”

The council says the problem with the Silver Rooms and the Essex Rooms are that the buildings are not fit for that purpose and it would not be cost effective to bring them up to scratch.

The council has said alternative services would be provided for the users of the two day centres and the introduction of personal budgets means people who qualified for help could choose how to spend their money.

The Conservative controlled council, which has already pledged a council tax freeze in two of the next four years, has stressed no decisions have been made and that consultation over the issue will start on Monday, December 14.

Anyone wanting to register their interest for receiving a consultation document can contact Yolanda Sumner on 01603 228847 or e-mail Yolanda.sumner@norfolk.gov.uk

What do you think of the proposals to close the day centres? Write to Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk

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