PASSIONATE PLEA FOR THANET'S DISABLED

At Thursday's council meeting to discuss the proposed TDC budget for 2010/2011, Cllr Iris Johnston made a passionate plea to safeguard £400,000 for the Thanet's disabled residents.
At the meeting Cllr Johnston said "It is good to see that despite the pressures on the capital budget the Council's contributions to the Disabled Facility Grants is planned to be held at the same level as was originally set last year, which was £400,000. But I would hope that after having cut this budget back by £200,000 in 2009/10, that this faces no further cuts in the forthcoming year. Although I appreciate that the level of capital receipts planned for may not be achieved, on looking at the planned capital programme I can see that there are other areas which could be cut back, before cutting back on the DFGbudget, on which so many people rely.
I would ask to table an amendment for Cabinet to consider, which seeks to ring-fence the agreed budget of £400,000 to preserve the Council's contribution at this level for the forthcoming financial year."

The ruling Conservative administration at TDC were either unable or unwilling to make such a commitment and at voted down the amendment.
Councillor Johnston said after the meeting "I am very disappointed the Conservative Group refused to outright support this amendment. Resident’s who are waiting over 18 months for adaptations urgently need to get their facilities in place to make life bearable. I will be watching very closely to ensure the 400k is kept intact to part match nearly £900k from Central Government.’

Cllr. Iris Johnston - 01843 299207
Published by the Labour Group Press Office - 44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 3DP.