Forum Topic

More spin from our chief

''Faced with these unprecedented cuts the Labour administration is having to make very difficult decisions. One of those difficult decisions is to decide whether to close the Albert Dane Centre.''The decision we have to make on the Albert Dane centre is however not just about making savings. It reflects the administrations desire to further the personalisation agenda and deliver care that is up to date. ''The steps we have taken reflect the fact that service users and the disabled lobby have indicated their wish to move away from the traditional institutionalised day care model and use their personal budgets to access a variety of services which will help them to live an independent life in the wider community.'' In these difficult times we are going to have to change the way we deliver services but we will not leave anyone without an alternative service that they themselves choose and are happy with.VERY GOOD AND VERY WELL MEANING SO WHY HAVE THEY NOT SHOWN THE ALBERT DANE USERS ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL WORLD. THE CHOICES SHOWN SO FAR HAVE BEEN NON ACCESSIBLE. SO SPIN ON COUNSILLOR BELL

Peter Chadburn ● 5813d7 Comments

2 pointsCllr Bell says "It is extremely hypocritical for the Conservative group to be lecturing us on the subject of allowances".It would have been far better for Cllr bell had he told Cllr Sharma during the last administration to shape up or ship out as regards Sharma's appalling attendance record.  It would also be far better if Cllr Bell in this administration also had introduced a penalty for any Councillors who have a poor attendance record.Secondly how in normal English does the personalisation system work? Is it just a wheeze for people to have to pay more from their own pockets? Does it also reduce social cohesion?

George Knox ● 5813d

The personalization means that in theory they get the money and are free to procure those services for themselves. however when there are no facilities for the disabled there is nothing to procure!!! If it was such a good thing then why are the users protesting??? So this is godd old fashioned spin. He claims all these people are saying it is a wonderful idea. but has he talked to the users of albert dane? i guess not. as the portfolio holder councillor anand will talk at them!! the stress caused to the users by how badly this has all been handled is a disgrace.

Peter Chadburn ● 5813d

Peter,You have nailed the issue bang on the head. As you say if there is nothing to buy then users will end up being worse off.  Personalisation may well be a good thing but one quarter of the Albert Dane users will not qualify.  What underlies officers'/Labour's thinking (the two are indistinguishable as the calibre of the Labour cabinet is so low they will just nod through officers' plans) is the Property Strategy.  Remember that phrase it will come up time and time again over the next few years.  What it means is that they want to sell a basket of community assets so that they can build three new shiny offices for council staff in Acton, Greenford and Southall.  This is the so-called hub strategy that the Tories kicked out when they came into office four years ago.  It only took a matter of days in May for officers to dust off their old plans and to convince Cllr Bell that these shiny baubles were worth destroying lots of community facilities to get hold of.  A Tory administration would look hard at the revenue costs of Albert Dane to be sure but would be happy to lease out the facility to another provider so that users could continue to use their personalistion cash to get a service.  Labour can't do that because they want the cash for the site.

Phil Taylor ● 5812d

I know Julian Bell - he's a good bloke. It's just a shame he's got some incredibly difficult decisions to make (due to the financially squeezed times we are about to go through).

Robin Taylor ● 5812d

PhilDuring the last administration did you see a budget for the 3 hubs? And did you see the projected savings/projected profits from sales and the revenue cost comparisons? Can you remember ball park figures?It seems without at the moment kowing much about what is going on because the labour party  are silent, that to spend capital, or make those commitments, is utterly inappropriate especially during a financial crisis.This is not vital spend. It will make the smallest of differences to the community practically speaking. And what say does the community have in such changes anyway?

George Knox ● 5812d

George,I suggest you look for the Property Strategy on the council's website here:http://www.ealing.gov.uk/ealing3/export/sites/ealingweb/services/council/committees/agendas_minutes_reports/cabinet/25may2010-23may2011/_14_Sept_2010/Item_24_-_Appendix_1Ealing_Property_Strategy_Part_1.pdf

Phil Taylor ● 5812d

He probably is a good bloke, but surely the way this has been handled by the portfolio holder and her team is no what I would expect of a Labour administration. I am sure Robin that you want the vulnerable looked after and cared for by the Labour party you have supported. We all have choices and my point is that this is being spun when the actual reality for users is very different. If it was such a great plan why would they be protesting. This Centre being disposed of would provide a cash benefit for the council. So the personalisation and other arguments are a smokescreen as the decision has been made. There are other softer areas that could be tackled and no doubt aspects of waste within the council. also the centre could be better utilized or else share a facility that has all the accessibility and care aspects with someone else. They are not being creative at all. I speak to one of the users quite regularly.

Peter Chadburn ● 5812d