Liberal Democrats condemn Tory refusal to regulate bought-in Day Care Services

8.54.37am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 1st May 2007

Liberal Democrats on Suffolk County Council condemned this evening, the refusal of the Conservative administration to back their suggestion to allow the county council to regulate and inspect bought-in day care services.

Under Tory plans, now pushed through without proper consultation by the Administration, the county council will no longer provide Day Care services, instead of buying them in from the private and independent sector.

Speaking after the debate, Cllr Kathy Pollard, said "Yet again today we see Conservative arrogance at work, blindly discrediting dissenting voices which dare question their political dogma.

The proposals they have forced through today do not have a sound financial footing, our concerns over the figures have yet to be answered; and have not been consulted on properly, with customers and providers in the private and independent sector.

Worst of all, the Cabinet's arrogant refusal to listen to our suggestion for making provision to allow the county council to have a proper programme of inspection makes a mockery of their aims to take seriously the elderly and vulnerable who use these services.

As it now stands we will be using public money to buy in services which will not be inspected. I simply put it to the people of Suffolk to ask themselves if they are happy with that thought, the thought that their family member, or neighbour, or friend could attend a day care service which, though paid for by the county council, is not inspected and regulated by the county council.

This Conservative Administration are taking a serious risk with the well-being of Suffolk elderly and vulnerable. We can only hope their arrogance is justified."