Dec 4, 2007
Wokingham Borough Council is now one of the TEN WORST COUNCILS in England for adult social care services
Wokingham Borough Council has plummeted in the Government league tables for social care for adults. It is now one of the TEN WORST COUNCILS in England. Wokingham has dropped from a 2-star rating to 1 star and its prospects for the future are uncertain.
Cllr Stephen Conway (Deputy Leader of the Wokingham Lib Dem Councillor Group and Councillor for Twyford) says, “It can’t be a coincidence that this happened at the time the Conservatives have axed care services for many of our residents. The Liberal Democrats warned the Tories that the way they were planning to cut services would have devastating consequences for some of our most vulnerable people. They carried on regardless and now our worst fears are being realised.”
Gareth Epps, Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Reading East, added, “The decline in Wokingham’s performance on services used by the most needy and vulnerable people is shocking. Residents in Woodley and Earley deserve much better than this. Residents in Reading thinking of backing the Conservatives should be aware of the sort of services they will receive if they become needy under a Conservative Council.”
The Government report highlights the following failures:
- Wokingham Council spends more per person, but provides less of a service than similar councils
- Wokingham Council has failed to understand the impact of its cuts on vulnerable people
- Wokingham Council deliberately kept some crucial social services jobs vacant to save money
- Some people, particularly older people, do not get services that they would get elsewhere.
Cllr Prue Bray (Leader of the Lib Dem Councillor Group and Councillor for Winnersh ward) said, “Staff at the Council have made valiant efforts over the past few years to improve the Council’s social care services. Thanks to decisions made by the Conservative administration, all that good work has been undone and Wokingham now has its worst ever rating. The Liberal Democrats will be calling for an urgent review of adult social services at the next Council meeting.”
The Council ratings are provided by The Commission for Social Care Inspection and the full star ratings and reports are available on their website: CSCI link
