Sue Doughty and the Guildford Liberal Democrats are opposing Conservative plans to close the Riverside Centre

11.24.00am GMT Thu 21st Feb 2008

Conservatives spending money on Councillor allowances rather than services for older people

The Conservative-run council has chosen to withdraw the grant to the Riverside Centre, which is run by Age Concern Surrey.

The Riverside Centre is more than just a café: there is also a computer drop in, a foot care clinic, bingo, events and outings. Age Concern Surrey also runs a gardening service from there.

Sue Doughty, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Guildford, said; "Many older people can become isolated and this can have an adverse effect on their physical and mental well being. Going to the lunch clubs means that they get out of the house, meet other people and have the opportunity to socialise."

The Conservatives are also proposing cutbacks in the way in which lunch clubs are provided for older people and the staffing levels at Dray Court and Japonica Court, which house some of the more frail older people.

Sue Doughty also said; "The proposal that on-site staffing at Dray Court and Japonica Court should end at 5pm instead of 10pm is very worrying. The people who live in these Courts are those who need a higher level of support to continue to live independently without going into residential care."

"Taken together, these cuts are unfairly targeted at older people who are often unable to fight for themselves. This is especially worrying considering the fact that we have an ageing population. We should be building capacity in order to support the increasing number of older people, not cutting back on funding for vital services. The Conservatives just don't seem to care."

Sue visited the Riverside Centre this week for lunch and to meet some of the people who regularly use the service. She said, "I know that many of the people who come here, for a good lunch and to join in with the activities, would otherwise stay at home in isolation. They can always be sure of a good choice of well-cooked food, at a sensible price, and the opportunity to relax with friends.

"I am appalled that they have chosen to spend 44,000 pounds on increasing councillor allowances. This is almost identical to the sum of money needed to keep the Riverside Centre going".