East Sussex County Council is seeking views on plans to cut almost £4m from its adult social care budget in the face of “stark and urgent” financial position.
On Thursday September 26 the council’s cabinet agreed to go out to consultation on potential cuts to a range of services, including day centres for both elderly and disabled people, drugs and alcohol recovery, and housing support for vulnerable people. Councillors heard how these potential adult social care cuts, which total £3.994m, come as the council prepares to face a projected budget gap of £83.6m over the coming three years.
Introducing the proposals, Conservative council leader Keith Glazier said: “Today’s report is probably one of the most difficult I have had to deal within in my time as a councillor. The financial situation we are now facing, due mainly to increases on social care, be that adults or child, which are totally out of the control of this organisation. The amount of increase we’ve had in council tax and government grant gets nowhere near that.”
Cllr David Tutt, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat group, argued the council’s financial troubles were the result of Conservative policy. “How do we find ourselves in the situation we are in today? You will forgive me perhaps for saying that the Conservatives have got to take the responsibility for that. The Conservatives have been in control here for 23 years and in national government for 14 years until very recently. The people who are going to pay the price for that action or inaction by the government are the most vulnerable within our community.”
Labour’s group leader Chris Collier, argued for alternative measures to avoid the cuts, such as the redevelopment of County Hall (a matter discussed by the council’s place scrutiny committee earlier in the week). “I’ll be clear now. If it came to February and these savings had gone through a consultation and were part of a budget, I wouldn’t be supporting them. You said you were listening, so I should come up with some solutions … the biggest questions residents are going to have is about this building. We’ve got a multimillion-pound asset that is being under-utilised along with several other buildings that stand empty across the county.”
Whilst the centre closures are in Eastbourne, Lewes and Crowborough, the proposals also include services across the county including: stopping on-site help in supported accommodation for vulnerable adults and adults with mental health needs, significantly reducing funding for housing-related support services and not renewing contracts for drug and alcohol recovery services.
Chief executive Becky Shaw said: “I think it is really important … to recognise that this authority provides incredibly important services and support, with our partners, to our residents, to our businesses, to the communities and families of East Sussex .The proposals in front of you are what we consider the least worst options. They are absolutely no reflection of the value and quality of the services we have provided.”
Image Credits: ESCC .