WARRINGTON Borough Council has come under fire from local MP Helen Jones for refusing to provide information about it's budget proposals regarding the transfer of in-house social care services.
The MP for Warrington North said: “The budget options include one to transfer in-house social care services for residential, respite and support to people with learning and physical disabilities to alternative providers.
“I was contacted by a constituent who, quite rightly, wanted to know if this would affect his elderly mother who is a resident at Woodleigh Community Support Centre in Callands.
“When my office contacted social services for information, they sent back only a standard letter, presumably drafted for councillors to send out, which said nothing.
“Further inquiries revealed a block being put on giving out this information by the Head of Strategic Communications.
“It is entirely unacceptable for officers of the Council to refuse to answer a perfectly legitimate enquiry made on behalf of a council tax payer.
“All councils face very difficult decisions because of the cuts being made by the Tory Lib Dem Government, but it is important that people are given full information to enable them to take part in the consultation. Telling people they can only have information after the consultation has closed, as I was told, is ridiculous.
“It seems that these officers have not changed their attitude even though control of the Council has changed. They display contempt for Warrington people. That is never good enough especially when difficult decisions have to be made.”
A council spokesperson said: "The council is currently consulting with residents, service users, businesses and community organisations on its budget for 2012-13.
As the consultation document makes clear, the substantial cuts in funding from central Government, combined with increased demand for services like adult social care, mean that the council faces some tough decisions. However, to pre-empt the feedback that is coming in on many of the proposals by briefing on decisions that may never be taken would be premature."
 The spokesperson continued: "No decision has been taken with regards to any of our in-house services. Until the consultation closes on 31 January, the proposals remain just that. The council's priority is to listen to the public before we have to manage carefully any difficult decisions, and then to ensure that we inform and consult with
residents and employees properly at the right time. The council is willing to meet with the MP for Warrington North once the consultation has concluded and prior to making any decisions to provide her with a full briefing, and it is simply not the case that officers have refused to answer enquiries from the MP's office."