Day care transport set to be privatised in council cost-cutting move
Transport services to day care centres, including one in Halesowen, are due to be handed over to the private sector in a bid to save more than £250,000, but leaving 20 jobs at risk.
The proposed move – the latest by cash-strapped Dudley Council – has sparked concern in the borough.
The council says it will review the lease of its 11 minibuses later this year and that it plans to use private companies to deliver transport services to four day care centres, including the Brett Young Day Centre in Old Hawne Lane, Halesowen.
The changes, which are due to come into force before the end of the year, would affect 13 permanent staff and seven casual workers.
People who pay for the transport would not see a change in terms of prices, says the Labour-controlled council. But the proposed changes have sparked concern.
Among the day care centres affected are the Unicorn Centre, Stourbridge; Queens Cross Network, Dudley; the Crystal Gateway, Amblecote; and the Brett Young day centre, Halesowen.
David Walker, of Wall Heath, whose wife Hazel, 69, attends the Crystal Gateway, Amblecote, said staff there were upset after hearing about the cuts.
The 73 year old is his wife's carer and takes Hazel, who has Alzheimer's, to the centre three days a week.
"I am upset more than shocked because the Government has reduced the amount of money to local authorities," he said.
The cost-cutting plan would save the council £263,000. Dudley needs to save £20 million over three years and has already made cuts in other areas.
But Councillor Paul Brothwood, UKIP leader in Dudley, believes the demand for the services is only going to increase.
"A lot more consolidation needs to be done with those people who will be affected," he said.
"We have to recognise that we are getting more people with dementia and so there will be a bigger demand on these services."
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Conservatives, said although the risk to 20 jobs was unfortunate he welcomed the plans which will cut costs while still providing the service.
"If we can provide a service like this while cutting costs that should be the way to go," he said.
Councillor Qadar Zada, cabinet member for adult social care, said: "We want to reassure all service users and their families that we will continue to commission transport services and we will keep them informed on the changes and support them to ensure that there is as little disruption as possible."
