Lib Dems call on council to ‘step up’ for older people

Today – on the UN’s International Day of Older Persons – York’s Liberal Democrats are calling on the council’s Labour administration to step up and do more to support older people in the city.

This year’s theme – “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide” is particularly relevant at a time when many of the support services that older people rely upon are under threat or have been axed altogether.

Public transport

Westfield ward Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Waller has reiterated his call for urgent talks on number 16 bus reliability issues affecting older residents living in council-run Independent Living accommodation at Lincoln Court. This follows route changes implemented by the council’s Labour administration.

Cllr Waller has raised residents’ concerns with the Managing Director at Connexions and has been tracking the delays and cancellations. On 19th September he presented to Full Council a petition collected by Lincoln Court residents calling for improvements to their bus service.

Cllr Waller commented: “For many residents in Westfield ward the number 16 service – which is funded by the council - is vital for them to get to medical appointments and to the shops in Acomb and to connect with other bus services. When a bus misses, they can be left stranded for over an hour, which is not acceptable, and it means that the next bus is carrying two loads of passengers. It has become clear that despite their best efforts, the operator is struggling to keep to the timetable, which suggests that the route wasn’t properly thought out in the first place. The council now needs to step up and act on local residents’ concerns.”

York Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Cllr Stephen Fenton has also called on the Labour administration to respond to the cross-party review into the city’s Dial & Ride service. Before it ceased operating last December, Dial & Ride provided a means for older people without access to a car to get into the city centre and to out of town shopping centres. The review, which was completed in June, recommended that the council take steps to ensure the provision of a Community Transport service for York residents.

Cllr Fenton commented: “There is a consensus that a replacement for the Dial & Ride service is absolutely essential. As well as enabling older people to have a degree of independence, it provided an opportunity for social interaction which is so important for many people who live alone. It’s time for the council to step up and respond to the review’s recommendations.”

Social isolation

The Labour-run council’s decision to axe vital funding which kept the city’s Age UK Day Clubs running has resulted in many older people being unable to enjoy spending time with others in a warm place and with lunch provided. Cllr Andrew Waller attended the last Day Club at Lincoln Court in Acomb on 27th September to thank all those who have made the Day Clubs such a vital service for so many older people.

Cllr Waller commented: “It was desperately sad to see the end of the Day Club at Lincoln Court, which has provided a valuable service for older people from across the local area. We are told by the council that all of the residents affected by the funding cuts imposed by the Labour administration have been signposted to other services, but from speaking with residents last week, this doesn’t seem to be the case. I’m concerned that some residents are slipping through the net, and am calling on the council to step up and ensure that no residents are forgotten about.”

Winter Fuel Allowance

Liberal Democrat councillors are continuing to campaign against the Labour Government’s decision to withdraw the Winter Fuel Allowance from thousands of local low-income pensioners.

A Lib Dem motion submitted to the Full Council meeting on 19th September called on the Labour Executive to back the campaign by Age UK to abandon plans to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance. However, Labour councillors submitted a “wrecking amendment” which substantially changed the meaning of the motion, turning it into a motion in favour of Labour’s means testing of winter fuel payments.

York Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, Councillor Carol Runciman commented:

“Councillors have been inundated with residents who are upset about the loss of the Winter Fuel Allowance and are fearful about how they will cope as energy bills are set to rise by 10% again today. The most worrying part of Labour’s amendment to our council motion was that they cut down the amount of work they have to do to contact pensioners who are entitled to Pension Credit but do not currently claim it.

“Under their proposals there will be a thousand pensioners who will not be contacted with the offer of support to claim Pension Credit and therefore receive winter fuel payments. The council needs to step up and ensure that all pensioners eligible for Pension Credit are contacted and offered support.”