Protecting Services for the most vulnerable

In response to Labour’s financial mismanagement, Merton’s Conservative councillors will formally call for a 1.7% precept to raise £1.355million to continue funding crucial frontline services for the borough’s most vulnerable adults at next week’s annual Council budget meeting. This money would be ring fenced for Adult Social Care services. This would not result in any increase in council tax as it would be directly offset by the reduction in the Mayor of London’s component of the council tax. Local Conservatives are also launching an online petition (www.caringformerton.uk) so that Merton residents can demonstrate support for their amendment in advance of Budget Council on Wednesday 2nd March.

 

The Government announced last year that it would allow councils to raise a precept of up to 2% to help fund Adult Social Care where there is local need and demographic pressures. However, Labour-run Merton Council is refusing to raise this precept, choosing instead to cut vital services for older and disabled residents such as meals on wheels, day care centres and care support packages.

Councillor Oonagh Moulton, Leader of Merton Conservatives, said:

“We are tabling this amendment because it is the right thing to do for the people of Merton. The most vulnerable in our community shouldn’t have to suffer as a result of Labour’s financial mismanagement.

“Due to their incompetence, Merton Labour have failed to deliver over £5million of savings that they themselves previously agreed. Now they are choosing to cut frontline services for older and disabled residents rather than using the power given to them by government to clean up this mess.

“In contrast to Labour’s financial mismanagement, Boris Johnson has been able to reduce the Mayoral share of council tax again this year through his careful management of City Hall finances. This means crucial extra funding to protect the vulnerable can be raised at no additional cost to the Merton taxpayer. However, Labour are choosing not to do so. Merton Conservatives believe that is the wrong choice. I therefore call on councillors from all parties to support our amendment.”

ENDS

Note to Editors:

1)    Levying a 1.7% Adult Social Care precept will generate £1.355million each year which must by law be spent exclusively on Adult Social Care. This equates to a cost of £19 a year for the average household (Band D) in Merton. However, this will be offset by the Mayor of London’s decision to reduce the GLA share of the council tax in 2016-17 by £19 for a Band D home. Overall council tax bills will therefore see no increase.

2)    There is projected to be a 9% increase in the older population of Merton between 2015 and 2020 which means a growing need for Adult Social Care services, such as day care centres, meals on wheels, residential care placements, support packages (personal budgets, homecare, direct payments) and assessment, and mental health and carers support.

3)    The Conservative petition can be signed at the following link: www.caringformerton.uk 

 If you wish to speak to Cllr Oonagh Moulton, please contact her on 07753 679 979.