Kingston Conservative Councillors

Hobkirk House Closed!

Lib Dems close Hobkirk House day care centre for the elderly


   


Conservative Councillors protested

2,000 people signed a petition

Hobkirk House users pleaded

GPs and Consultants warned of the dangers

Kingston Council DID NOT listen!


Despite numerous protests and petitions from Conservatives and residents of Kingston, and grave warnings from GPs and Consultants on the health risks to the users of the threatened services, the Lib Dems continue on their tirade of care cuts.

Conservative Cllrs demand respect not neglect for the elderly and vulnerable of this Borough.


Charles Foster and Margaret McBride, elderly and disabled users of Hobkirk House, protested tirelessly to save their day care centre.

Full Council Meeting

Tuesday 24th April 2007, 7.30pm

Kingston Conservative Group Councillors put forward a motion to stop the Lib Dem Council from proceeding with their plans to close an elderly day care centre.

A petition of nearly 2500 signatures was handed to the Mayor and a vote was taken. All Conservative Cllrs voted to put an immediate stop to these irresponsible and careless cuts, but were out numbered with every Lib Dem Cllr voting to carry on with their attack on this vulnerable sector of society.

Impassioned speeches were given from users of the threatened care homes and Conservative Cllrs Howard Jones, Mary Clark, Nick Kilby and David Fraser.


Executive Meeting

4th September 2007, 7.30pm

Cllr Derek Osbourne and his Executive panel listened to desperate pleas from Hobkirk users; Charles Foster, a blind man in his 70s, and Margaret McBride, whose words were read out on behalf of her because she was to frail to do so herself. They also heard inspiring speeches from Cllrs David Fraser, Patrick Codd and Nick Kilby, and letters, read aloud by Cllr Dennis Doe, from GPs and Consultants warning of the grave consequences of the Lib Dem’s decision to move users to Newent House and to axe ten places.

Cllr Osbourne acknowledged all of this, and still went ahead with the cut, saying: “I am aware this may make me the most unpopular man in the Borough”.

All Lib Dem members on the panel voted for the closure.