Controversial council sackings in December

Date published: 28/11/2006

In a shock announcement to the parents and carers of adults with learning disabilities - it has been disclosed that Rochdale Council are to sack 20 staff in December.

The staff, who are all agency workers and have been providing care to the most vulnerable adults in the community, have been told that their employment with the service is to end.

Reacting to the news, Councillor Colin Lambert said: "Cuts to services are unpleasant at any time but it appears really harsh to announce these cuts in the Christmas period.

"Staff who will have been planning their family Christmas will now find themselves out of work and with no money to enjoy Christmas with their families and their own children. The turkey really has been stuffed by Rochdale Council for these families.

"But most alarming is the fact that these staff have provided a crucial service to the Adults with learning disabilities, and there will be no staff to cover holidays or the Christmas and New Year period. Individual support to the most vulnerable members of our community will end on Friday when these cuts are implemented.

"We must monitor the impact on the service and seek an urgent review of these cuts which I believe will save just £85,000 .

"The Adult Care budget appears to be in a mess - is it an overspend or an under funded service."

Responding to Councillor Lambert's criticism, Mike O'Keeffe, Acting Commissioning Manager, Learning Disabilities, said: "We've reviewed the service and staffing levels and are in a position to end the use of agency resources, in total 20 part-time staff, with effect from 4 December.

"At the same time we are able to reduce a significant cost to the service at a time when we face considerable pressures. The agency and their staff were informed of this decision on 21 November."

"This will not affect the level of service for adults with learning disabilities at the centre, staffing levels will remain high with 11 full time staff deployed there to enable the service to maintain quality.

"The service is due to relocate, and although there have been some delays it is expected that the relocation will take place early in the New Year."

"Meetings have been arranged with family members on Thursday 30 November and Monday 4 December, where we will address any concerns that they may have."