Nearly 2,000 people sign petition against Walsall alarm service axe
Pressure is mounting against a controversial decision to scrap an alarm system for older residents, with a petition calling for the move to be overturned signed by nearly 2,000 people.
The alarm system has been labelled a ‘lifeline’ for elderly people and the decision to axe it by Walsall Council had left council leaders facing a fierce backlash.
A total of 1,850 have signed the petition which calls upon the council to stop the cuts to adult social care.
The Community Alarm Service allows people to press a button on a device around their neck in the event of a fall, accident or medical emergency and contact an emergency helpline with details and their relevant medical information.
However, the service was scrapped over its yearly £1.3 million cost making it ‘not fit for purpose’.
WATCH: Protestors' anger at service cut
The petition reads: “This service offered the vulnerable and disabled the chance to receive expert advice and support, with applications for benefits and grants to improve the quality of life for those who were in need.”
Mike Bird, Conservative leader of Walsall Council, said: “I’ve seen the details of the petition and I want to remind people this was in the Labour Party budget.
“Cabinet have made their decision and the process has been quite clear.
“From my point of view, it’s not fit for purpose. We’re putting people at risk and we haven’t invested in it for 10 years and this service can be provided for as little as possible by the private sector.
“There’s no doubt in my mind what Labour is doing is to try and put the blame on the Conservatives, but as I said, this was a decision made in February 2017 by the Labour administration which they cannot hide away from.
“They are political opportunists looking for soundbites.”