Grim Future for Borough's Day Centres

12.00.00am GMT Wed 15th Jan 2003

Richmond's Tory Cabinet is to press ahead with their £5 a day charge to attend the Council's Day Centres, ignoring overwhelming opposition from Liberal Democrats and members of Day Centres, and concerns from Conservative back-benchers that the increase of up to 5,000% was excessive.

The new charges are likely to force up to 600 vulnerable pensioners to stay away and become housebound – something the Tories recognise, as they are now planning to close Barnes Green Day Centre in September 2003, and evict Elleray Hall in Teddington to smaller premises in April 2004, despite election manifesto promises made only last April:

"We will invest in facilities for the elderly and vulnerable"

"We will publicise the Day Centres to encourage greater attendance"

"Conservatives will stop the Liberal cuts"

In fact, they plan to cut £200,000 from the Day Centre budget in 2003/4.

Cllr James Mumford, Chairman of the all-party Task Group on Social Services Charges, says: "The Tories have broken their election promises and are reverting to type, attacking the most vulnerable residents of Richmond and threatening to the destroy the most successful Day Centre service in London."

"They are discarding the preventative principle, that affordable and accessible services promote independence for older residents and reduce the need for more intensive care later in life."

"This is a cynical move to drive older people out of Day Centres, then claim that the service is no longer needed.

The Council has started a wholesale review of Day Care provision – this should be allowed to publish its results and be debated fully, with public involvement, before any significant changes are made to charges or services.

Instead, most people were given a week before Christmas to respond to the 'consultation', and their views have been ignored."

"For further information, contact James Mumford, 020 8977 9975 / 07814 010877.