Union attacks council over social care

UNION bosses have launched an outspoken attack on Warrington Borough Council over proposed cut backs in adult social care.
Jason Horan, local organiser for Town Hall union UNISON said: “The Labour administration running the council have used the Big Care debate as a Big Copout to reduce front line staff running valuable services for the most vulnerable people of the town.
“Permanent staff will be made redundant and replaced with volunteers. Council officers have been quoted as saying ‘We are not sure where the volunteers will come from’.
“It has also been stated that partner agencies and private sector care companies will be utilised to provide care when the council deem it necessary.
“This is nothing more than outsourcing through the back door. We are also concerned with the level of care that some of these external companies provide.
“One of Labour’s pledges is to protect the most vulnerable. Let me make it clear that these proposals to reduce front line staff will make the most vulnerable even more vulnerable.
“While the proposals to make permanent staff redundant were being delivered to staff and clients, councillors and senior management were nowhere to be seen, instead choosing to hide behind closed doors.”
Mr Horan added that day centres had already been closed by a Labour administration carrying out the work for a Conservative government.
He said: “It’s about time that Labour councillors stood up and fought against the Conservative policy of abolishing local council services.
“The Trade Unions urge the residents of Warrington that use these day centres to stand up and let Labour know how valuable these services are.
“Shout out at the executive board meeting on October 15 and let your views be known.”
Cllr Terry O’Neill, leader of the council, said: “Adult social care is a nightmare for all local authorities as a result of the cuts imposed by the government.
“We are having to look at the way we deliver these services in the future because it has been estimated that if nothing is done, in 10 years’ time, 98 per cent of every council’s budget will be spent on adult social care.
“I don’t accept what the union is saying – they are taking things out of context.”