Carers consultation on East Sussex County Council funding cuts

East Sussex County Council’s Cabinet met recently to consider dramatic cuts to its budgets. The Council faces a significant shortfall in funding and has a huge financial challengeto address.

The Council has worked hard to reduce the shortfall through planning, efficiency savings and the Stand Up for East Sussex Campaign, but still faces incredibly challenging financial decisions. We are concerned about the potential impact of funding cuts on carers. Carers look after friends, relatives or neighbours who could not cope without their support because of illness, disability, mental health or addiction. The impact of social care cuts on them is threefold:

• Reductions to services relied on by those they care for
• Reduction of support for carers themselves
• Alongside a potential impact on overall benefits and entitlements

Unpaid carers cannot be seen as a solution to the social care funding crisis, or be expected to plug the gap when services no longer exist.

The full Council met on 6^thFebruary to decide its budget. You can read thedraft proposals on the East Sussex County Council website. After this, a full public consultation will run from15th February for 10 weeks– we are working with the Council to ensure that carers have their say.

Tamsin Peart, Joint Commissioning Manager for Carers, said:Following full Council’s final decision on budget savings in early February, Adult Social Care will start a consultation process with carers and carers’ organisations. As well as the consultation meetings that all carers will be welcome to attend, Care for the Carers will be sending out a survey on behalf of Adult Social Care so that everyone has the opportunity to share their views. We will be asking carers and those working with carers to help us prioritise how we can meet the needs of carers and ensure that the types of support that offer the most benefit to carers are available within a reduced budget.

Carers consultations

In the light of these new developments the Carers Voices Network meetings planned for February and March are now being opened up to any carers who would like to attend.

There will be a chance to:

• Learn more about the proposals being made by East Sussex County Council
• Share your views and take part in the consultation process
• Find out how to stay involved in the future

The meetings are taking place at the following:

HASTINGS – Thursday 22^ndFebruary 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
The Bridge Community Centre, 361 Priory Road, Hastings, TN34 3NW

** EVENT POSTPONED ** EASTBOURNE
NOTICE: Due to the adverse weather conditions, and concerns for the safety of anyone who may want to attend, we have rescheduled the meeting planned for Wed 28 February. The meeting will now take place on Wed 21st March from 2.00pm – 4.00pm All Saints Church Hall, 21a Grange Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4HE.

PEACEHAVEN – Tuesday 6^thMarch 2.00 pm– 4.00 pm
The Anzac Hall, Meridian Centre Peacehaven, BN10 8BB

If you would like to attend any of the meetings, please book online following the links below:

• Hastings
• Eastbourne
• Peacehaven

or contact Debbie on01323 738390ordebbier@cftc.org.uk with your preferred date and venue and a place will be reserved for you.

Share this article: