Harrow Borough Council needs to listen to carers says independent councillor
It is only by listening to carers that those in authority can have any hope of getting the kind of support they need right.
1:42pm Thursday 3rd April 2014 in News By Bruce Thain
A councillor has accused the council administration of snubbing a project aimed at helping carers which it helped to set up.
Councillor James Bond says the council is not listening to the issues faced by unpaid cares in Harrow.
The council launched the Carer Champion project and Cllr Victoria Silver was due to present a report into the experiences of some of the 26,000 carers on Harrow.
The report was due to be discussed Health and Wellbeing committee last month, but was not heard leading to criticism.
Councillor James Bond said: “Quite frankly I am appalled that this has happened. The council likes to boast that it listens to people and says it welcomes feedback and here was an opportunity for it to do just that.
“The Carer Champions’ real life stories must be heard if the council and its partners are to learn from their experiences and are to tailor support accordingly.
“It is only by listening to carers that those in authority can have any hope of getting the kind of support they need right.”
A council spokeswoman said: “The Health and Wellbeing board, which is made up of cross-party members, decided that this report had been submitted too late to be heard at their meeting, as there was not enough time to review it beforehand.
“This is far too important an issue to rush a report through; it needs to be read and digested properly before it can be commented on.
“We will be meeting with the carers champions soon to discuss this report and the options for where it can now be presented.”
Portfolio holder for adults and housing, Cllr Barry Macleod-Cullinane said: “As part of our fairer agenda, the council is fully committed to supporting carers and, together with our partners, we already provide a full range of training, respite support and advice and information.
“Harrow was one of the first councils in the country to give carers a personal budget.
“Our administration fully recognizes the vital role played by carers in Harrow; that’s why we agreed an extra £30,000 of funding to improve the carers’ champion scheme in this year’s council budget.”
