April Fool’s Day saw amusing stories, including one which said that Bedford Park was due to be covered by an O2-style canopy.
Read: O2-style canopy could cover half of Bedford Park opening door to more events
However, the contrast between light-hearted April Fools’ Day jokes and the reality facing many vulnerable residents could not be starker.
While some enjoyed a moment of humour, many elderly and disabled residents were receiving letters telling them that Mayor Tom Wootton and his Conservative-led Executive have decided to start charging residents who need a personal alarm.
These alarms provide peace of mind for older people, those living alone and anyone with health concerns, enabling then to remain safely in their homes.
Read: Telecare service costs to remain despite local Lib Dem opposition
Despite our opposition and a petition signed by hundreds of residents, the Conservative Mayor decided to press ahead from 1 April with a new £4.00 per week charge unless assessed by Social Services to qualify for financial help.
I have already received emails from worried residents who will struggle to pay for these new charges – some who say they cannot afford it.
And I have also been told of real difficulties filling out the forms, with confusing wording, duplicate mailings, and a bewildering array of addresses. Nobody should lose access to a lifesaving alarm because they made an honest mistake on a confusing form.
Holiday food vouchers for children cut
And two weeks ago, we were horrified to uncover that the Conservative Mayor has ended the provision of vouchers for children receiving free school meals in the school holidays.
More than 7,000 children in the Borough have previously benefited each holiday period from the vouchers introduced by the Liberal Democrats.
To make cuts to children’s food before alternatives have been put in place is deliberately reckless and will hurt local families in the greatest need.
The Government isn’t forcing councils to stop the vouchers this holiday.
Read: Bedford Borough Council urged to use new government support fund for school holiday food vouchers
Central government is still providing millions of pounds to Bedford Borough Council to support residents. Nearby Cambridgeshire has already announced the extension of its scheme for children’s food vouchers in the Easter holidays.
Punishing our vulnerable elderly and taking away food vouchers from children shows that once again, the Mayor has his priorities all wrong, and the most vulnerable are again paying the price for three years of his financial waste and incompetence.
This is a monthly guest column provided by Cllr Henry Vann,
leader of the Bedford Borough Liberal Democrat Group.
It is published unedited and does not reflect the
views of the Bedford Independent.
