Clubs for elderly and disabled face Wiltshire Council cut

Wiltshire Council is planning to remove £106,000 of grant funding from a range of lunch clubs and friendship clubs across the county, cutting their grants by half in the 2022-23 financial year, with plans to remove them entirely in 2023-24.

The decision is likely to be decided by the Conservative-controlled council at its 2022-23 budget setting meeting at Trowbridge Civic Centre on Tuesday, February 15.

But the move is going to be opposed by Wiltshire Liberal Democrats, who say the 21 lunch clubs cater for elderly people, usually those living alone, providing a once-a week chance to enjoy company, a nutritious meal, quizzes and sing-songs.

The 10 friendship clubs also likely to be affected by cuts provide activities and support for people with learning difficulties, physical disabilities and mental health issues.

Dave Lewis, who chairs the Honeypot Lunch Club in Trowbridge, said: “Lunch clubs like ours put a smile on the face of the people who need it most.

“They provide a lifeline for elderly people, typically those who have lost a partner and live alone. It gives them an opportunity to come out, meet some friends, have a chat and enjoy some fun. 

“Without our clubs the members would be isolated, lonely and vulnerable. The council grants make a huge difference to so many lives and I ask the council to think again about cutting them.”

Richard Fawcus, chair of Wilton and District Thursday Club, added: “This is no way to treat those who have worked and paid their taxes over a lifetime in this country. 

“Nor indeed should it be forgotten that much of the current grant goes to pay local businesses such as those who provide the food.  Any proposed cuts will impact on them.”

The Liberal Democrat group on Wiltshire Council are opposing the cuts and have put forward an amendment to the budget which calls for them to be scrapped, with the savings instead being taken from the Business Plan Priority Reserve. 

The group has also proposed a ‘rapid scrutiny’ programme to assess the impact of the cuts.  

Ian Thorn, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “It is a massive mistake to take away grants that help so many of the people who we should be supporting as a society – elderly people who have worked hard all their lives and disabled people who deserve all the opportunities we can provide.

“I appeal to councillors from all parties to step back from this decision. Please do not withdraw these critical funds that are helping so many people in so many ways.”

Wiltshire Council says that as changes to day opportunities come in, the proposals are for the friendship and luncheon clubs’ grant funding to be reduced by 50 per cent in 2022/23 and the remaining 50 per cent in 2023/24.

The council will support clubs if they would like to consider alternative sources of funding, including applying to area boards. The council will also support those clubs who decide to bid as part of the tender to provide day opportunities in the future. The successful new services will start from the summer.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We want to ensure people have the right support so they can live well and be a part of their community. Day services are valuable opportunities to help promote this independence and community engagement, and currently these services are provided in a number of ways.

“For the future we want to provide more personalised options that benefit those who most need our support and ensure opportunities are equitable across Wiltshire. To achieve this we will be advertising a new tender to provide day opportunities, with new provision beginning in the summer. Our aim will be to ensure residents’ social needs continue to be met, either by existing community resources or through providing new services, and we will be asking people currently using these services to share their thoughts.

“The Full Council on 15 February will be an opportunity to hear all the points raised on these proposals.”