Services for elderly and young backed by Lib Dems

3.45.08pm GMT Tue 15th Feb 2005

The Liberal Democrats are supporting improvements in services for elderly people and young people by backing the County executive's budget proposals.

Key priorities supported by the Lib Dems include:

1 an overall increase in funding for care for the elderly including initial funding to launch the long term preventative day care strategy;

2 increasing the number of elderly care beds funded by the County Council, ensuring the provision of new elderly care homes in Woodstock and Witney;

3 increased funding for children in care to help them fulfill their potential at school together with some more funding for child protection social workers;

4 increased funding for the County's excellent Youth Service.

"I am delighted that we will be supporting another budget that sees increased expenditure on elderly care services and the youth service," said Cllr Janet Godden, Executive Member for Childrens' Services. "However the Council is also having to deal with the sudden reduction by the Government in the Supporting People grant from the Government which provides services for vulnerable adults and people with disabilities living in the community. This means that as we take two steps forward, the Government is forcing us to take one step back."