ONE always hopes for better thinks when changes happen, but often those hopes are dashed within a few hours, days or in some cases weeks.
We looked forward, with hope and expectation, that the new regime in County Hall at Morpeth under the banner of Northumberland County Council would maybe have changed the thinking from those of the former Labour-dominated council. Sadly, it appears t
hat it is not to be.
We know the council finances are in a mess. I acknowledge that it is not the fault of those now in power, but they are looking for the same sort of cuts and hitting some of the most vulnerable in society
I refer to the plan, or to use council speak 'consultation', to close day centers from Amble southwards, seven in all.
In their place pensioners are to be offered personal budgets to "give them freedom to pick and chose what they want to do".
I forecast that this personal budget will not be such a huge sum so they will not be able to do what they want.
I also note that a similar service provided by Age Concern has waiting lists. How come those run by the authority are losing numbers?
Surely there is something wrong with the council-run service if a charitable organisation is attracting people and theirs is not.
Savings must be made when a council, like any other group or individual is in a financial mess and this is still a belt-tightening time which is affecting a large majority of people on the planet.
We are told that other authorities are doing the same thing, ie closing centers, so therefore it must be the right road for Northumberland to follow.
Yes, there are those who are not interested in attending day centres and will never cross their door but to others they may and often do offer the only break from the loneliness that blights the lives of many of our more senior residents.
What annoyed me when I first saw this plan was that once again those council-employed staff are coming up with cost-saving schemes that affect the most vulnerable in society. And their political masters are pushing it forward.
You cannot tell me that a bloated organisation that is our new authority cannot make other savings.
Can I put forward one suggestion that would save the council money and also help to save the planet in reducing petrol consumption and probably carbon output?
You see at all levels of council staffing people running around in high-powered leased cars.
Instead, and other councils do this, give every council employee who needs a vehicle for work, no matter what level of seniority they are, Smart cars and you could even make more money by advertising council services on their sides.
