PLANS by the ruling Tory administration at County Hall to reduce the county’s older people’s budget by £14m by 2011 have been condemned by the Liberal Democrats.

Community services spokesman Cllr Rod Fletcher says the move is ‘plain crazy’ coming at a time when the number of older people in Cheshire is increasing and the number of 85 year olds will rise by 25%.

He argues the Tories want to close three community support centres, including Lightfoot Lodge in Chester, to save money.

‘My group cannot support the proposals to close respite centres,’ said Cllr Fletcher.

‘We believe the county council should consider using some of the spare capacity in community support centres to pull back some services from the private sector.

‘We believe the older people’s service budget has been hit by Conservative budget cuts since 2001 when they came to power at County Hall.

‘Their reliance on the private sector threatens to increase costs substantially.’

Liberal Democrat group leader Chester County councillor Sue Proctor said the Transforming Cheshire project ‘was supposed to increase effectiveness and give better value for money but I believe it’s used as an excuse to make cuts’.

The county council is consulting with older people and carers about plans to close the three centres as part of changes affecting short stay and day care services.

Proposals include the relocation of specialist dementia care services across the remaining seven centres.

County Hall points out, however, there are limitations to the care that can be provided in the longer term from the existing buildings.

‘Faced with a huge gap in Government funding for the care of older people by 2011, there is need to look at the most cost effective way of delivering services,’ said executive member for adult social services Cllr Lynn Hardwick (Con).

‘One option is to close three centres and develop services at the remaining seven.’

It is likely a decision will be taken in November.