|
||||||||
Richmond Liberal Democrats barbaric, draconian or just plain discriminative Policies. 3 Years of mismanaged Liberal Democrat purgatory. Updated 1st May 2001
In Date Order
Friday
06 April 2001: 
Disabled protesters
demand an apology from Lib Dem leader
April 6, 2001 10:01:
Furious disabled residents demand public apology from the chairman of Richmond
Councils social services committee, Liberal Democrat Tony Barnett. Following disgracefully
discriminative remarks he made to the media last week, when he accused the disabled
of being'frauds, cheats and liars' by "Pretending to be disabled".
Lib Dem Cllr Barnett refused to comment on the matter. Well, what do you expect
of a Liberal -oxymoron- Democrat councillor in Richmond?
Friday
30 March 2001:
Legal suit threat against Lib Dem 'Draconian'
counsel
Cash-strapped Liberal Democrat Richmond Council face a legal challenge
from disabled groups over plans to tighten the eligibility criteria for residents
in receipt of home care, condemning the councils consultation exercise as "deeply
flawed." More than 50 disabled protesters packed the council chamber as the proposals
violated disability rights and would remove vital care from adults under 65. "We
have been in touch with solicitors and they say there is a case to answer".
Friday
30 March 2001:
Vulnerable worry
as Liberal Democrat closures loom
Elderly and disabled
residents in the borough will face major upheaval as the Lib-Dem council presses
ahead with its ruthless plans to scale down day centres along with other essential
care services.
"There needs to be large warnings 'No Entry for Disabled'
posted outside of Liberal Democrat Richmond. Alongside the old 'No ethnic',
'No homeless', 'No unemployed', 'No coloureds' and 'No Social Care' signs,
would be an ideal place."
The councils social services committee headed by
Liberal Democrat chairman Councillor Tony Barnett, 'roller coastered' the
radical restructure of its day centres when it met on Monday, despite calls of
no confidence in Lib-Dem council management of the borough.
Monday 26th
March 2001
Liberal Democrat
Anthony Barnett's 'barbaric' discrimination
Social services bankrupt,
care cuts, disabled discriminated against by "disabled are just pretenders"
says Liberal Democrat Cllr ANTHONY BARNETT
Friday
02 March 2001:
Fury as Lib
Dems sell hall. Shocking deprivation of care
March 2, 2001 10:07: Residents
in Mortlake, the most deprived part of the borough, have been dealt a severe blow
this week after cash-strapped Liberal Democrat Richmond Council decided to sell-off
the building earmarked as their new community centre. The Mortlake 2000 report,
commissioned by Richmond Council for Voluntary Services (CVS), revealed a shocking
level of deprivation in the neighbourhood.
February 16,
2001 9:50:
Ofsted slams
defective Liberal Democrat LEA
The Governments schools inspectorate, Ofsted,
has savaged Liberal democrat Richmond's Local Education Authority for a wide range
of failings, ranging from ineffective management to poor financial planning.
February
2, 2001 10:20:
Report slams
Liberal Democrat care services and non existent policies.
A damning report
by Government Inspectors has savaged Lib-Dem Richmond Councils children and families
services.
Friday 03 November 2000:
Lib Dem Council
violated vulnerable child.
What is wrong with the system in which a small,
vulnerable child is violated in this extraordinary way in a supposedly civilised
country, by a supposedly civilised social services in the year 2000. The social
services in Richmond have swept this incident under the carpet, with the usual
'corrupt internal review'. Are we still in a democratic country? Or is
Liberal Democrat Richmond council exempt?
Monday 30 October
2000:
Investigation
into adoption controversy.
Social Services draconian actions, highlights
inherent racism within Richmond council. Despite calls for an independent inspection
into the actions of the social services department by a judge, this was voted
down by the ruling Liberal Democrats.
Instead, there is to be an internal
investigation into the way Richmond Council handled a controversial adoption battle
earlier this month. The decision, which related to the council's refusal to allow
white foster parents to adopt a black child in their care, ahs caused national
outcry. Councillors were heavily gagged at the meeting about what could be said
about the case, the subject of an earlier blanket injunction by the council, but
which has now been partially lifted after being challenged by the press.
Friday
06 October 2000:
Inspection under way
Inspectors from the Department
of Health will be putting Richmond Council's children and families department
under the spotlight this month. In the wake of diminishing social care in the
Lib Dem borough, the department will be recieving a close inspection of policies.
Thursday
05 October 2000:
Liberal Democrat
Council 'failed' in inspections
Richmond Council's inspection and registration
unit has been rapped by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) for its failure
to conduct adequate inspections of old peoples' homes in the borough.
Matthew
Dieppe of the SII said 'social services failed to take action against home managers
who did not adequately look after their residents.'
Friday 29 September
2000:
Homes Inspectors
report blasts Richmond Liberal Democrat Council
The Social Services Inspectorate
has savaged Richmond Council's inspection and registration unit for failing to
carry out adequate inspections on old peoples' homes in the borough.
Richmond
Lib Dem council has the lowest care facilities in UK!
Friday 29 September
2000:
Liberal Democrats
slash £1.8M from elderly and disabled care
Services for the elderly
and disabled are set to undergo a radical shake-up under proposals to slash £1.8
million from the social services budget as the council battles to make £6.5
million savings.
Tony Arbour criticised the council for 'penalising some of
the most vulnerable groups in the borough'. Cuts in the day centre services and
residential for people with learning disabilities also came under attack.
Ron Franklin said: "Richmond does not have the facilities for people with learning
disabilities. "You must have the facilities in the borough, otherwise there is
going to be a shortfall in care."
Thursday 14 September
2000:
Jobs and services
to be axed by Lib Dem councillors.
Tory leader, Councillor Tony Arbour,
said the cuts were only necessary because of the council's financial incompetence.
He added: "Year after year the Liberals raise taxes and cut services but their
financial incompetence prevents residents receiving what they have paid for."
It is immoral for the council to hand over £400,000 to pay off Richmond Theatre's
debts again, then cut services for older residents to pay for it. "Something is
very rotten in Richmond"
Friday 14 July 2000:
Financial crisis
hits Lib-Dem council
Council deputy leader Councillor Serge Lourie announced
on Monday that the council was already £1.5 million over budget and its reserves
have sunk to £1.3 million - enough to keep services running for just three
days. Provoking alarm among the borough's voluntary groups and fury among the
council's critics who have accused the Liberal Democrat administration of financial
incompetence.
The council, which already spends less per head than any other
council in London, warned that only education will be protected from expected
widespread cuts to services.
Friday 06 October 2000:
Child Unit Inspection
under way
Inspectors from the Department of Health will be putting Richmond
Council's children and families department under the spotlight this month. In
the wake of diminishing social care in the Lib Dem borough, the department will
be receiving a close inspection of policies.
Thursday 14
September 2000:
Lib-Dem Cuts
to Jobs and Services
Jobs and services will be axed under controversial
plans unveiled last week by Liberal Democrat Richmond Council which has to make
£6.5 million savings.
The council announced in July that it was £1.5
million over budget and its reserves had sunk to £1.3 million, enough for
three days' expenditure.
Yet the council is handing over £400,000 to
Richmond Theatre, while cutting care services. Lib Dems accused of making
"Immoral" decisions.
Saturday 30 January 1999:
Why are the
Lib-Dems closing us down?
Mortlake CRC, a Day Service for adults with
learning disabilities, is yet another casualty of continued Liberal Democrat discrimination
against those needing care in the borough. While millions are squandered and many
more spent of services for Richmond's 'rich', nearly bankrupt Lib Dem Richmond
continues to steal care away from vulnerable people.
One question that most
of us ask is "why are they doing this to us"?
Saturday 23 January 1999
Lib-Dem Care
Service cuts AGAIN!
Richmond's social services department is bracing itself
for major cuts totalling £1 million.
Saturday 31 October
1998:
Cash-strapped
Lib Dems close ANOTHER centre
Two pensioner day centres will merge. In
a bid to save yet more money, cash-strapped Richmond Council is proposing the
controversial merger of two old people's day centres. Richmond Council's ruling
Liberal Democrats recently closed two day centres for the elderly, Meadows Hall
and St Luke's in Kew.
Saturday 24 October 1998:
Liberal Democrat
councillor Anthony Barnett tells 200 angry OAPs. It's a 'hard life' in
Richmond.
Angry pensioners jeered a councillor when he refused to accept
blame for the closure of Kew Day Centre. Liberal Democrat Councillor Tony Barnett
tried to evade blame by 200 elderly people at a public meeting: "Don't blame me".
"It's not something I like having to do, it's a hard life. Social services has
overspent badly." One pensioner, speaking from the floor, said: "If there was
an election tomorrow you would not get in."
Saturday 17
October 1998:
Lib Dems shut
another vital day centre
Another old people's day centre is to close as
Richmond Council continues its desperate bid to save cash.
"This will leave
Kew and this side of Richmond with no social service cover for the elderly. This
is exactly the same as the Meadows Hall fiasco."
"This is yet another example
of Richmond Council trying to dig themselves out of a financial black hole," he
said. "Another point is the fact it has been very hush-hush.
Saturday
19 September 1998:
OAP HOMES TO
BE SOLD IN LIB DEM COUNCILS SCANDALOUS, 'RUBBER STAMPING'
Richmond's
residential homes for elderly and vulnerable people will soon be run by private
firms after councillors rubber-stamped the deal on Monday night. The policy and
resources committee passed the proposal without discussion and refused to consult
with others. "The ruling Liberal Democrat group seem afraid of open public debate
on issues of concern to the community."
Monday night's decision signalled
the start of a radical programme of cost-cutting measures planned by cash-strapped
Richmond Council.
Saturday 19 September 1998:
Lib-Dems want
to shut special schools, sell off old folks homes, cut housing .....And raise
council tax!
Richmond Council's dash for cash crises. Only £3 million,
enough to run the council for only two days, is in the reserves. Despite claims
in the Lib-Dems election manifesto of "mastered the art of financial management",
the Borough still continues to lose fortunes and cut essential services. Mr Arbour
claimed the Lib-Dem plan to let outside organisations run council housing stock
smacked of "financial desperation" and "political incompetence".
UNISON's
Steve Cowan said: "For some of the most vulnerable people in the borough, the
effects have been devastating and all the indications are that it is going to
get worse."
Saturday 01 August 1998
Liberal Democrat
Cllr Anthony Barnett tells the 'bad news'
Social services is, as
an entity, facing a most difficult year of extreme financial pressure. The Children
and Families Division, particularly, has to face corresponding increasing demands
on its services. Councillor ANTHONY BARNETT announced, while giving another ££
thousands to theatre.
Saturday 01 August 1998:
Liberal Democrat
leader 'cuts in services'.
Richmond Council leader David Williams
has warned that the authority must "think the unthinkable" with big budget cuts.
"We will have to look at a radically different way of providing services because
we have reached a watershed."
The closure of vital Meadows Hall day centre
for pensioners in Richmond, Twickenham Family Centre and Richmond Under-Fives
Centre has provoked uproar.
The Liberal Democrat council have been repeatedly
criticised over their financial mismanagement and 'Victorian' care policy.
Saturday
08 August 1998:
Cut council
bonuses, not services Lib Dems told
Public service union UNISON has called
for loyalty bonuses paid to senior 'Fat Cat' Liberal Democrat Richmond
Council staff to be spent on front-line services instead.
Saturday
25 July 1998:
Liberal Democrat
Richmond Council throw elderly on the 'scrap heap'
Lib Dem cash strapped
Richmond Council voted to shut the Church Road centre for pensioners.
For
93-year-old Victoria Trowsdale, "I live in a bedsit and this centre fills my day
because I get picked up at 8.45 in the morning and I don't get home until 4.30pm.
What am I going to do instead?"
When Richmond Council's social services department
and councillors visited Meadows Hall last week, they faced the fury of elderly
people whose age did not diminish their anger.
One speaker said: "All these
people have friends here and they are being thrown on to the heap because you
don't care any more."
The council delegation only held a public meeting at
Meadows Hall after members of the social services committee voted to close it.
Again contravening the right to open discussion.
Saturday 18 July 1998:
DEPRIVATION
SHOCK IN LEAFY LIB DEM BOROUGH OF RICHMOND.
Reports from the Jarman Index
which uses Census information, show up Richmond's depriving council.
Forget
the millionaire-studded slopes of Richmond. While widely regarded as among the
most affluent in Britain, residents of Liberal Democrat Richmond are more deprived
than average boroughs in England and Wales.
If you live in a deprived neighbourhood
you are more likely to suffer ill-health, and statistically are more likely to
die at an earlier age.
Saturday 18 July 1998
Centres for
the borough's most vulnerable families axed by 'oxymoron' Liberal Democrats.
Liberal Democrat councillors voted to close both the Richmond Under Fives Centre
and the Family Centre in Twickenham. Provoking storms of protest over the councils
continued mismanagement.
David McGinty said: "These cuts will strike at the
most vulnerable and inarticulate people in our borough. It's a Dickensian decision.
Lib-Dem councillors have "a tarnished conscience".
In spite of Councillor
Anthony Barnett's 'roller coasting' approval of these radical closures, he still
insisted children and families would receive "excellent" support, leaving many
to question his sanity.
Saturday 28 March 1998:
FURY AT THREAT
TO CARE HOME from 'fat cat' Lib-Dem councillors.
A kick in the teeth is
how staff at the troubled Moiravale respite care home have described Liberal
democrat MP, Jenny Tonge's statement backing the closure of the facility.
Staff at the home reacted furiously, knowing that cost, not care, is the councils
objectives towards the vulnerable.
Saturday
07 February 1998:
STAFF ANGRY
AT 'SKINT' LIB DEM's HOME CLOSURE.
"I don't give a damn about being
fired. Moiravale is the only respite home in the borough. It's a specialist unit
and respite care is totally different from residential care. We have people with
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease"
Also due for closure is White Farm Lodge,
a residential home for 49 elderly people in Whitton.
As usual, the Lib
Dem council squanders money and, then recoups from it's 'undesirables' (disabled,
infirm and those most vulnerable in society) PreviousPage
**The
Liberal Democrat scandal **
Task
ForceHome Page
All content is without
prejudice. Disability UK is Europe's TOP disability site. We have no affiliation
with any other group.
These web site links are listed as a convenience to our visitors. If you use these links, we take no responsibility and give no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of these third-party sites.
Home:
Sitemap:
© Disability UK - Richmond - UK
