Care for vulnerable adults will be commissioned rather funded by grants after Richmond Council gave the go-ahead for the Community Independent Living Scheme to continue.

The scheme, which scrapped grant funding in favour of commissioning contracts, was called in by Richmond’s Liberal Democrats to be scrutinised at a special meeting on Tuesday, December 3.

The opposition party raised concerns about the effects the plans would have on the futures of several charities in the borough.

The committee confirmed day centres, including Linden Hall, Elleray Hall and Barnes Green Day Centre, would remain open under the stewardship of the three providers awarded contracts.

These are Age UK, Richmond AID and Integrated Neurological Services.

Councillor Liz Jaegar said the meeting was useful but there was a lot more information needed.

She said: "We need to know that these charities are not going to sink after the four years they are sub-contracted to the lead providers for.

"Are they happy that the money they used to receive from a council grant now lies in the hands of the lead providers?"

Councillor David Marlow, cabinet member for adult services, said the call-in was a “delaying tactic on the opposition’s part” who he said started the move from grant funding to commissioning in 2010.

He said:"It has been a case of them delaying the process and scaring people, something of which they are masters of the art - the people who were critical did not come up with anything we could not answer.

"Those running the services are providers who know the area and understand the borough well - people are very happy with the outcome."

Details of the charities that will work with each locality's lead providers are available online at richmond.gov.uk.

 

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