Transport to Day Centres Under Review (Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats)

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats <info@oxfordshirelibdems.org.uk>

Transport to Day Centres Under Review

April 5, 2012 11:44 PM

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats were pleased to receive all-party support for their motion at the County Council's full Council meeting this week calling for the review of transport to day centres to be "fair and affordable and easy to access".

Day centres are a valuable resource for the elderly, disabled and vulnerable and for some people it is their only way of being able to socialise with their friends and access a whole range of services which would otherwise not be available to them if left at home on their own. Under the new system of personalised budgets, the review of charges at both day centres, and the potential to increase charges for transport arrangements, means that some residents will feel that they are unable to afford to attend in the future. This puts at risk the viability of the centres in the long term, and Liberal Democrats are concerned that this could lead to closures in the future.

Shadow portfolio holder for Adult Services, Cllr. Jenny Hannaby, who proposed the motion said:

"The elderly are often isolated in their own homes, and they need to be able to access day centres to meet with their friends, have lunch, receive podiatry, hairdressing and a whole range of services including learning computer skills, which are available to them all in one place. However, having easy and affordable transport is key to this as some people are unable to make their own travel arrangements and rely on having easy and affordable access to the right provision for their needs."

Cllr. Zoé Patrick, Leader of the Opposition, who seconded the motion commented:

"Liberal Democrats did not take the saving of £1.3M for the Transport Review in our budget proposals this February. We were concerned that any increased charges could mean that those needing to get to our day centres will be put off by the sheer cost and affordability. Our day centres are key to the health and wellbeing of our elderly, disabled and vulnerable in our communities, especially in this difficult economic climate."

The motion was supported nem con by all parties which is excellent news for Oxfordshire. This means that when the Transport Review is complete, this council motion will have to be taken into consideration.