A Shrewsbury mother of two disabled daughters has launched a campaign against Shropshire Council’s proposed cuts to disability services, which she claims amount to ‘savagery’.
Nicola Clark, from Copthorne, who also has a mother suffering with Alzheimer’s, has launched the Shropshire Cares Campaign to fight the cuts.
She will be setting up a stall in the town’s Pride Hill on Saturday, December 18, to collect signatures for a petition against the proposals, which she will present to Keith Barrow, leader of the council.
Mrs Clark, who has one daughter with Asperger’s Syndrome and another with autism, attended a public council meeting yesterday to voice her concerns about the proposals which will be discussed by full council today. She believes the proposals are directly at odds with the Government’s policies.
In a special report, a number of savings have been identified including reshaping day services for people with physical disabilities.
Mrs Clark says the recommendations which will have a direct impact on vulnerable groups total a saving of more than £1million and she is determined to fight them.
“I’m devastated to read the report from Shropshire Council which details the savagery of the cuts proposed to elderly and disabled adult social care services in Shropshire.
“These cuts are due to be announced to the public in January but there will no public consultation. Where is the accountability and transparency that Keith Barrow promised to local people? I’ve got two disabled children who will obviously become adults and I’ve very concerned for their future. Historically vulnerable groups like the elderly and disabled tend not to fight back, so I’ve launched a campaign against the cuts. I feel that the most vulnerable groups in our society should not have to put up with this.”
Mrs Clark added: “How dare Keith Barrow disregard assurances made by Andrew Lansley at a Commons health select committee on November 23 where he stated that social care services should not have to suffer because of the cuts imposed by the comprehensive spending review.”
Mrs Clark organised a public meeting for concerned parties last week and is hoping to gather more support when she holds her stall in Pride Hill.
A spokesman for Shropshire Council said any changes will come into effect by April, and further discussion was needed in some cases with people who may be directly affected before final decisions were taken.
Councillor Keith Barrow, leader of the council, said: “The public can be reassured that, where savings could have a direct impact on service users, such as at day centres where opening hours may be changing, we will be speaking to those people directly affected by proposals, we will listen to their views, and take them into account in deciding on the best approach.”
by Anna Williams