Bedford Borough’s mayor has proposed a new £4 charge per week for the 3,200 Bedford locals using Telecare, to combat what they call “ballooning costs” that have increased to £450,000 per year to sustain the service.
However, the Liberal Democrats have reacted with “anger and disbelief”, saying the charge is a “disgraceful attack on the vulnerable”.
Telecare is the provision of one or more detector devices (e.g. fall detectors) which, if triggered, sends an alert via telephone to a central alarm monitoring centre.
Conservative cllr Robert Rigby (Bromham), who is portfolio holder for adult services, asserted that telecare can only be preserved by introducing a charge. “If we do nothing, the service itself will disappear under the weight of its own cost,” he said.
He also highlighted that Bedford’s proposed charges are well below those implemented by 32 comparative councils, including “our neighbours in Milton Keynes, who are charged £6.27 a week.”
However, cllr Hilde Hendrickx (Liberal Democrats, Riverfield) has reacted angrily to news of the charge.
“Despite the council’s own evidence showing the profound impact this charge would have on users, including distressed and concerned residents in the ward I represent, and despite a consultation report overwhelmingly opposed to this charge on the most vulnerable, the Conservatives plan to press ahead,” she said.
“It is wrong to balance the books on the backs of the most vulnerable. But this is also a false economy – supporting people to remain independent, in their own homes, is not only morally right, but helps people stay out of the care system.”
“Tough decisions”
Cllr Henry Vann, leader of Bedford Borough’s Liberal Democrats (De Parys), added, “The income generated by this new charge is built on the assumption that between 25% and 40% of current users will stop using the service altogether, leaving people vulnerable at home.
“I urge the Mayor not to balance the books on the backs of the most vulnerable.”
However, a Bedford Borough Conservative spokesperson argued that the lack of funding from Central Government has left the council in a vulnerable position, “forced to take difficult but necessary steps to protect and preserve this essential service.”
Portfolio holder for finance, cllr Marc Frost (Conservative, Wixams), added,” The tough decisions we are taking today are the direct result of nearly 14 years of financial drift and unsustainable spending by the former Liberal Democrat Mayor.
“This is a necessary step to protect a valued service and bring its finances back onto a sustainable footing.”
Bedford Borough Council has confirmed that service users who benefit from Care Packages won’t have to pay this charge, and no one will be charged more than the cost of delivering the service.
Published as part of our work experience partnership with Sharnbrook Academy
