Dismay and furious outbursts as Birmingham protesters rally against ‘hammer blow’ council cuts 

A Birmingham council meeting was temporarily halted after divisive proposals to close four adult social care day centres were approved

There were furious outbursts and an angry protest in Birmingham today as proposals to close four adult social care day centres were approved. Members of the public interrupted a meeting of the city council’s cabinet on Tuesday morning, with one woman yelling: “You just don’t get it - you need to listen to us.”

“If you’re taking the centres away, I’ve nothing to live for,” another told the cabinet members as the meeting was halted. “[My son] is frightened, he’s nervous - he just don’t know what’s happening.

“You’re all sitting there, telling us that you’re doing your best. No way". The cabinet at the crisis-hit council were considering proposals to close adult social care day centres - Beeches GoLDD, The Fairway, Harborne and Heartlands.

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They were also recommended to approve the relocation of services to five remaining day centres, which could now take place next March.

“The council wants the best possible quality of life for all its citizens and their carers and as a part of this we are committed to improving the day centres for adults with disabilities,” a council report said. “However, the council is facing a significant financial challenge.”

Opposition councillors slammed the Labour-run council’s proposals as members of the public in the room applauded. Conservative councillor Robert Alden warned closures could mean people not going to centres, which he said could cause increase isolation; leave more people unwell and pile further pressure on carers.

Coun Roger Harmer, from the Liberal Democrats, said he feared the proposals were a ‘stepping stone’ to wider closures. After the cabinet agreed to approve the closures, a protest took place in Victoria Square outside the meeting where cries of ‘shame on you’ could be heard.

Dr Abdul Shamahi, from the Edgbaston area, spoke of the impact the closure of the Harborne day care centre could have on his son as protesters’ horns blared in the background. “It is like home for him,” he said. “Asking him to go to a different centre, it’s like asking someone from his own home with neighbours around to move to a different area.”

Asked if he thought the council had shown enough awareness of the personal impact, he said: “I don’t think they want to understand or know. I want [the council] to do their job. It’s their job to look after the people who voted for them.

“What’s the point of being here just to drink coffee and tea as a councillor and do nothing?”

Tracey Mooney, joint branch secretary for Birmingham UNISON, was also critical this week, saying: “Closing the day centres would be a hammer blow to the vulnerable adults that use them and the families relying on them for some respite from their caring responsibilities.”

In a previous statement, cabinet member Coun Rob Pocock, said many councils no longer ran in-house day centres. “I’m pleased we have found the money to keep five going across the city,” he said. “But we need to save on costs and the remaining centres do need to be fully utilised.

“Citizens using our centres have also said they want to have a wider variety of activities outside the day centres and this is what we are also developing, as part of a more modern 21st century service. So the package as a whole means anyone wanting a council day centre will still be able to receive that.

“No staff are being made redundant and there will be a wide range of additional options available. I understand people will have an attachment to the day centre they usually attend but unfortunately our centres have a low attendance rate, with most only around half full. While no current users will lose their service, and their loved ones will not lose their respite support, we recognise that attending a different centre could be difficult for some.

“Citizens would be fully supported to relocate to an alternative service of their choice which would be equipped to meet their physical, behavioural, sensory and emotional needs. There is plenty of capacity in the other centres, meaning more citizens attending, creating a more stimulating environment with more opportunities to socialise.”

READ MORE: Councillors told 'shame on you' as desperate carers condemn Birmingham day centre closures

He added that centres would be fully staffed meaning “really focused support for users”. “Re-location plans for citizens would be person-centred and staff familiar to them would be available to plan their move in a sensitive and respectful way, fully sighted on their specific needs to minimise any distress,” he said. "They would also be supported to move with their friends if that was their choice.

“A social worker would support every citizen affected by the proposal.”

Sharon Thompson, deputy leader at the council, addressed families affected by the closures during the meeting, saying: "I know this is a difficult item for many people. “I'd like to acknowledge those who have come today - it's not easy travelling across the city and you clearly care.”

She also said “rumours” were causing more anxiety and distress for residents and urged cabinet members in the room to be responsible for what they were saying. "It's irresponsible of members to raise fears about the long-term future of our day care services,” added Coun Pocock. "The intention is to provide a sustainable model that can be fundable in the future.”

The council passed a huge wave of proposed cuts to local services this year after facing Birmingham-specific issues, such as an equal pay fiasco and the disastrous implementation of a new IT and finance system, as well as other factors such as the rising demand for services and funding cuts.

Council leader John Cotton has pointed the finger at “14 years of neglect from the previous Tory government" while Conservative politicians have highlighted the mistakes made by the council's Labour administration.

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