Liberal Democrat councillors today welcomed the removal of much ring fencing of local government funding, but proposed local protection for funding for the important services that the “Supporting People funding” provides.
The Supporting People funding is used to provide housing related support to help vulnerable people to live as independently as possible in the community. This can be in their own homes or in hostels, sheltered housing or other specialised supported housing.
Many providers of Supporting People services are saying they are concerned at the prospect of reduced funding.
The Liberal Democrats put the motion to this week’s January Full Council – however, Labour councillors blocked it stating they couldn’t guarentee the funding.
Talking after the meeting Cllr James Allie said,
“The funding which comes under the ‘supporting people’ heading pays for really important services to the most vulnerable in society, such as things like sheltered housing. Labour claim they are the guardians of the sick, disabled and excluded, it’s a real shame then that Labour refused to agree to protect the funding to the some of the most vulnerable in Brent. In difficult economic times the importance of making sensible local decisions is key. By dismissing our proposals Labour have proved they can’t do that.”
The Liberal Democrat motion read:
This Council:
1. Welcomes the removal of much ring-fencing associated with Local Government funding, enabling Councils to manage their finances to better meet local needs.
2. Notes the important services that the Supporting People funding provides.
3. Calls on Brent Council’s Executive to ensure that the funding received for Supporting People schemes is protected locally to ensure that services to some of the most vulnerable in our community remain secured.
