Cuts lined up for social care
PEOPLE who are eligible for social care services but whose needs are only categorised as "low" could lose their support.
And the general public will have a say in the final decision, as they are being asked to say what they think.
People's need for Calderdale Council's social care services are currently categorised into one of four areas: critical, substantial, moderate and low.
Calderdale is one of only two councils in the country where people with low needs are currently entitled to support.
Members of the council's adults health and social care scrutiny panel met last week and decided that there should be a wide consultation with the public about the implications before the panel receives a further report in November.
The consultation will ask people whether the criteria should be changed so that only people with moderate or substantial and critical needs will receive support from the council.
The council will also consider what increased preventative services can be offered to people to help them remain independent for as long as possible without the need for intensive home support.
Director of adults health and social care Jonathan Phillips said every council has to review its eligibility levels each year.
"The impending budget cuts means the current situation will no longer be affordable and we need to look at alternatives," he said
Chairman of the scrutiny panel, Todmorden ward Coun Ruth Goldthorpe (Lib Dem), added: "We will be holding various consultation events with service users in October. Scrutiny will then discuss the outcomes at its November 17 meeting.
"We'd like as many people as possible to attend that meeting to make their views known.
"Cabinet will then consider the scrutiny panel's views carefully before making a recommendation to council as part of next year's budget."
Councillor Bob Metcalfe (Lab), who is the Cabinet member responsible for adult social care says: "We will consult widely and will make sure that the decision we come to ensures we can continue to provide good support to the most vulnerable people in Calderdale."
But the move is being opposed by the Conservative group. Group leader Coun Stephen Baines said: "Frankly I am appalled that the first area to be reviewed is the care we provide to the most vulnerable people.
"This comes from the same administration that has already appointed several non front line managers in their first few months in control at a cost of over 400,000 a year to the taxpayer," he said.
"The process and approach for addressing this highly sensitive issue is fundamentally flawed.
"Any policy changes that Calderdale Council want to introduce have to be determined by Cabinet, yet this issue has come to scrutiny based on an officer report.
"Where is the Leadership from the Cabinet coalition? One can only assume that they would rather leave it to others to make recommendations on this contentious issue rather than setting the direction needed from those in power."
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