The following statement from Community Services Chairman Cllr Richard McCarthy is a response to recent news items suggesting that the Council has cut Adult Social Care funding by more than 50%.
‘Neither I nor Town Hall colleagues can make sense of the claim that the Council’s spending on social care funding for the over 65s has more than halved since the last General Election.
‘In fact, unlike most other Local Authorities, we have managed to invest significantly more in Adult Social Care lately. We’ve appointed a second qualified Social Worker and we’ve specifically increased domiciliary care capacity on the islands too.
’Since 2010, of course, we’ve started up the popular Buzza Bus service on St Mary’s and we’ve introduced concessionary fares for the elderly on off-island boats.
‘In the current financial year we’ve been able to secure £76,000 from the NHS through the Better Care Fund to support additional local services aimed at improving the health and care situation for our frail elderly. This figure is due to climb to £135,000 next year.'
We hope that this provides some clarity on the current state of social care funding across the Isles of Scilly.