Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
New alarm charges could see lifeline cut
Fears cost could see many devices being returned
The new £ 3.40 weekly charge for Nor th Lanarkshire’s community alarm service has now been introduced, after a six-month delay due to coronavirus.
Its 9800 users in more than 9000 households have been receiving letters informing them about the policy, and offering help with maximising income.
Council officials say the charge is necessary to “ensure the service remains viable and sustainable” amid greatly increasing usage – but anticipate that up to 1400 alarms could now be cancelled, representing 15 per cent of users.
Neil Gray MP called the policy “socially regressive” and said it risks “putting elderly and vulnerable folk at risk” and added he will be attempting to have it overturned for a second time.
Charging started from Monday and the first bills will be sent out at the end of October and every four weeks thereafter.
Users have been told: “The introduction of the charge ensures we can continue to deliver the same high standard of service our users expect.
“It is vital that we are in a position to meet this demand while protecting this important service for our most vulnerable residents.”
The charges were expected to generate £1.4 million in this financial year but the delayed implementation has cost £575,000.
Members of North Lanarkshire’s adult health and social care committee were told in a report for their meeting this week: “Any service users who return their alarm following the introduction of the charge will be offered a needs-led assessment to ensure that they have the appropriate supports in place if they require assistance.
“All users will be offered a financial assessment to maximise their benefits, and the option of a waiver will be considered if assessed as appropriate.
“The service will carefully monitor the actual attrition rate and take appropriate budget action if it is significantly higher or lower than the 15 per cent estimate.” A “structured approach” will be in place for the return of alarms – which can be collected from users’ homes, dropped off at selected council or NHS buildings “using locked receptacles or an appointment system” to meet Covid access restrictions, or posted back using provided envelopes.
Criticising the charges, Mr Gray said: “Many elderly people are struggling to pay bills as it is – and they now face having to do without what is quite literally a lifeline. This charge, on top of the loss of free TV licences for over-75s, will see many pensioners having to decide against safety or a link to the outside world.
“I really fail to understand the council coming back to this socially-regressive policy and just wonder if it will release as much income as they imagined, as I have had constituents saying that they are going to have it removed, even if that puts their safety at risk.
“I will continue to work with local SNP councillors to fight this and try to get it overturned yet again.”
North Lanarkshire has seen a 500 per cent increase in the number of people using the community alarm service since its introduction 21 years ago, and the area was previously one of only two in Scotland not charging for the service.
Committee members were told: “This growth reflects the positive balance of care in North Lanarkshire and the growing complexity of health and social care needs people supported in the community.
“The charge [is] to continue to be able to deliver a high level of service, including appropriate staffing resources for call handling and a proportionate response to support people in their own homes. In turn, this will allow users of the service to live safe, independent lives