Here come the cuts....again !

East Sussex County Council is launching a "consultation" about proposals to massively cut the funding of Adult Social Care services in the County. 

Already these services which care for our elderly and other most vulnerable people in our society have been cut to the bone. For many years, as activists, we've heard the hollow promise whenever cuts are floated by a local authority, that the "voluntary sector" will be supported in picking up the pieces. However, now even the grant funding to charitable and third-sector providers is being slashed, so these services will go too.

It is proposed that the budget for commissioned services will be cut by more than 75%, meaning the end of such valuable services as the "home from hospital" care support currently provided by Age Concern Eastbourne, supported by grant funding.

Back in February, when ESCC agreed £18 million of cuts as part of a three-year £67 million cuts package, David Elkin, Tory County Councillor for Eastbourne's Sovereign Ward claimed: “We’ve proven in recent years that we can be trusted to act prudently and responsibly, but the climate of austerity we’re operating in means more difficult decisions have to be made...[1]"  Whether his constituents who rely on the direct or commissioned services he's voting to cut will agree, is another matter. Laughably, he more recently claimed: "This is a challenge but also an opportunity to come up with imaginative new ways of delivering services, including working more closely with our partners, communities and the voluntary sector.[2] "   More creative ways meaning cutting the funding to the voluntary sector just as he has to directly provided services, presumably.

The final budget plan will be put to the County Council in early 2016. The Tories do not have a majority on the County Council- having to rely on Independents and UKIP to prop them up. Please lobby your local councillor, and also take part in the online "consultation" making clear you oppose these service cuts. The consultation is open until 24th November.

We will keep you up to date with other action- including any protest or industrial action in support of jobs and services that is called by the affiliated trade unions.