Camden's pensioners plan to demonstrate over fears they will bear the brunt of cuts

Published: 13th January, 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

“SAVE our lifeline” was the plea from elderly people in the south of the borough as they prepared to fight drastic cuts which they say will put vulner­able lives at risk.

Pensioners packed into a protest meeting in King’s Cross on Tuesday following the release of council documents outlining which of Camden’s adult social care services are to be axed.

Among those to see their funding withdrawn this year are the Hillwood Resource Centre in Somers Town and the Millman Street Resource Centre in Holborn, while the Great Croft Resource Centre in King’s Cross will be hit by immediate reductions until funding is completely withdrawn in 2012.

Councillors insist they are facing unprecedented budget cuts and have been forced to cut pensioners’ clubs to allow them to provide statutory care to the most needy.

But staff and pensioners have warned that with cuts falling disproportionately on Camden’s most deprived communities, the long-term cost will be “far greater” as some people will be left housebound and reliant on the council.

They are planning a demonstration outside the Town Hall on Tuesday ahead of a deputation to councillors. Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting at the Green Croft Resource Centre in Cromer Street, deputy manager Jane Linnel said: “Thirty per cent of our members are referred to us by the council with critical substantial needs. 

“It’s a legal requirement for Camden to provide care to them so what will happen? There is going to be nowhere left in the south of the borough.

“What I’m worried about is that once these people can no longer leave their homes they are hidden behind closed doors and are more easily forgotten.”

Georgina Bottley, 77, who was referred to the centre by the council to take part in exercise classes, added: “These cuts are going to end up costing the council 10 times more when they are left with elderly people stuck in their flats 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year.”

Sue Shickle, manager of the Millman Street service, said she was “shocked and worried” about the loss of funding, which staff only learned about through consultation documents published on the council’s website.

King’s Cross councillor Sarah Hayward, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, claimed that councillors had “one, if not both” hands tied behind their back by central government.

She added: “Cutting services for the elderly is going to end up costing the council and the health service more in the long term, just like cutting services for young people is going to cost the council and police more.

“We’ve been dealt this hand by central government and luncheon clubs and day services have been harder hit, so we can still prepare statutory care services for people who are housebound.”