‘Barnet’s “easyCouncil” model will result in two-tier council services – where you only get quality services if you can pay for them – it’s inevitable under these circumstances that vulnerable and less well off residents will lose out.
It’s fine to offer “no-frills” airline services in a market where there is lots of choice available to those who can pay extra for a better service, as airlines are not delivering critical frontline services. What the Barnet Tories are proposing may mean residents having to pay extra for everything that is beyond an absolute bargain basement service and where only those who can afford it get the quality service.
This is deeply worrying for those who are not wealthy but need more comprehensive services. In the case of elderly people living in Barnet’s sheltered housing, many of whom specifically moved in because there was a resident warden, this means no longer having that resident warden – it’s a cheaper service, but there’s no choice for them now unless they can afford to live in private sheltered housing.
If this is the face of Cameron’s compassionate Conservatism for an equal society then it fails on every level – compassion and equalities – and is a poor blue-print for national roll-out.’ – Cllr Alison Moore, leader of Barnet Labour Group
‘The availability of flexible and efficient wardens is often the main reason why some older people move into a sheltered housing in the first place. These residents have been left short-changed by the decision of some local authorities to replace onsite wardens with floating support workers.
Local authorities need to consider how incredibly cost-effective warden services are in the long-term – promoting independence and preventing many older people having to enter nursing homes, residential care or hospital.
To make a more efficient use of the limited funding available, local councils should consider the so called ‘hub and spoke model’ whereby wardens are able to offer support to older people in the local community while still being attached to a sheltered housing scheme.’ – Andrew Harrop, Head of Public Policy at Age Concern and Help the Aged
‘Barnet’s plans – like those being implemented in Tory-controlled Hammersmith & Fulham council – are one big con. Cuts in council tax and spending only mean worse local services, particularly for those who are most disadvantaged and vulnerable, and huge increases in charges and fees for a range of services. The public needs to understand that what is happening locally today could happen across the whole country if the Conservatives were elected nationally.’ – Stephen Burke, former leader of Hammersmith & Fulham council