‘Severe issues for vulnerable’ in welfare cuts

Council leader fears big impact as two health and wellbeing services are closed

ROSSENDALE ’ S council leader has raised her concerns over the ending of two health and wellbeing services and offered to work with partners to look for a solution.

The Lancashire Wellbeing Service (LWS), which supports thousands of people across Lancashire with low-level health and social care issues, has ended – while funding for Rossendale’s Home Improvement Agency will cease in March.

Lancashire County Council (LCC) made the decision to stop both services last summer.

Rossendale Council said it has been engaging with LCC and looking at ways of mitigating the impact of the decisions but, given its own financial situation, no solution has yet been found.

They said LCC has also confirmed it is stopping maintenance agreement for stair-lifts, external step lifts, rise and fall baths and wash/dry toilets, which will affect its own delivery of Disability Facilities Grant applications.

Council leader Alyson Barnes said she will be raising the issues with LCC leader Coun Geoff Driver.

She said: “I fully understand Lancashire County Council is facing serious financial challenges but I have consistently said I believe these decisions will create severe issues for some of Rossendale’s most vulnerable residents.”

Shaun Turner, LCC’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “The county council faced a very tough financial challenge after inheriting a £200m budget deficit from the previous Labour administration in 2017.

“In order to safeguard our most vulnerable residents and other services such as education, adult and children’s social care, we had to take some tough decisions around our spending priorities.

“Following the conversations last year, we have been able to keep some parts of the services, such as the wellbeing worker for deaf people.

“To that end, we are continuing to work closer than ever before with district councils, the NHS and other partners in order to maintain these services wherever possible with alternative funding streams and delivery methods.”