Cautious welcome as Haringey considers council tax precept for vital adult care services

Lib Dem opposition councillors have cautiously welcomed the news that Haringey will seriously consider a small, council tax precept, for vital adult care services.  Local adult care services in Haringey are currently due to be cut by the Labour-run council, with day centres and other services closing.

The news follows the publication of Haringey Council’s draft budget yesterday, which is due to be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on the 19th January, and after several councils announced plans to consider a small precept on council tax for adult care.

Haringey Council will now consult on the proposal for a council tax precept for adult care services. If the plans go ahead, the Lib Dems are urging Labour, who control the council, to use the extra money to save some of the day centres for older and vulnerable people in the borough which are due to close.

Currently, the draft council budget does not say any money raised through the council precept will be used for this. Instead the council say the money will be used to help with increased demand.

The Liberal Democrats in Haringey have repeatedly called on the Labour Council to seriously consider the council tax precept to protect vital services for vulnerable adults in the borough. Last year, they were so concerned about the cuts to adult care services they called-in Labour’s budget for a review by the council’s scrutiny committee.
 
Cllr Pippa Connor, Haringey Lib Dem Spokesperson for Adults and Health, comments:
 
"I welcome the news that the Labour-run council is seriously considering using this option, following our campaign and calls by residents to do so.

“However, I am concerned that it seems the money raised would not be used to save some of the day centres earmarked for closure. The extra money, £1.7m, could allow the Labour-run council to save most of the day centres.  I encourage residents to call for that when the council consults them on this issue. These centres support some of the most vulnerable people in our borough.
 
"The Liberal Democrats believe that supporting our most vulnerable residents, with the greatest level of care need, is a fundamental principal and one I am sure Haringey residents would wish us to fight for.”
 

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