THE group Say No to Cuts in Elderly and Disabled People's Services handed over two petitions opposing Richmond Council's decision to axe services on Tuesday.
Two weeks ago, the Informer reported that the campaign group had been set up after the council announced it was going to slash the adult social care budget, which involves closing Tangley Hall and Twickenham day centres, assessing contribution costs and removing the weekly cap on an individual's maximum personal contribution.
The protest group, made up of service users and carers, is chaired by Richard Kember. He said: "The people that came to hand the petition in are people that can get out - but a lot of people can't.
"It's disappointing from the council because we don't stand on an even playing field. We're being asked to bear a huge amount of these cuts, and we're just asking them to hold off.
"What we want to know is why they aren't using their massive reserves; why don't they use that to make the cuts?
"It doesn't seem like anything is ring-fenced for disabled services. If that is money for a rainy day, shouldn't that be now, as it certainly feels like we're getting rained on.
"We're not a strong group, politically, and we're an easy target. These cuts are hurting a group of people that the public won't see.
"They will see the effects on schools if cuts are made, but they won't see how it affects us, particularly as day centres will close and we will be stuck at home and out of sight. We have been a grassroots campaign that has worked very quickly to get this petition in. Now I hope they listen."
Consultation on the proposed cuts closes today (Friday), and the council will now draw up a set of proposals to be put to an overview and scrutiny committee meeting next month.
Councillor Nicola Urquhart, cabinet member for adult services, health and housing at Richmond Council, said: "This petition, along with all other submissions, including the consultation which ends today, and the recommendations from overview and scrutiny committee in January, will be considered very carefully before the cabinet makes its final decision at the end of January."
