Fighting for Robert Bean Lodge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday’s Health sub committee meeting saw Labour’s Teresa Murray push for a reversal of the Cabinet decision to abandon the £30 million in Government cash for older people’s care.
As the Tories on the committee voted it down, in what has been described as a ‘lively’ meeting, the fight will be taken to Full Council where Cllr Murray will present a petition with 1 000+ signatures.
This will call for the retention of Robert Bean Lodge and the funding of older person’s care through the Council.
Cllr Teresa Murray said,
“The turn out at the meeting on Thursday was great, as about 40 people- staff, centre users and unions- turned up, and one of the people who goes to Robert Bean Lodge addressed the committee.  We can be in no doubt what this centre means to people, and how badly they would be affected if it were lost.”
“We are in a very frightening situation.  The Labour Group said that the Tories’ aim was to sell the land to get the money, and that the centres of excellence would never happen, and here we are.  The Tories are letting £30 million slip through their fingers, whilst admitting that there has been only been some slight, initial interest from the voluntary sector in taking over the running of these centres.”
“The Tories are treating both the staff and the centre users appallingly.  Sadly, this is replicated across the sector as we can see from the budget proposals.  We will fight on, but the message seems to be: don’t work for the Council or be in its care.”