Accolade is not well deserved

Shropshire County Council has recently been declared the best performing county council in the country for the third year running.

I have to ask the question, how did they do it?

For nearly a year the Shrewsbury day centres for adults with learning disabilities and difficulties have been struggling to continue to provide their exemplary services.

They have had their budgets pared down to nothing. Centre staff leave and aren't replaced. Everything from toilet rolls down to printer cartridges has to be requested. Needless to say, nearly all of the requests are refused.

In short - if it costs money, don't do it.

Recently, daily drinks had to be funded from the centres' own "comforts fund". These funds are meant to be used for "special treats or day trips", not used to subsidise the county council.

Don't think that closures aren't possible, that's what the council want you to think.

Parents and carers weren't notified of the discussions regarding the day centres because they would oppose and fight against closure proposals.

Sooner rather then later, Shrewsbury will be saying goodbye to Hartley's or Sabrina Court or friends at Coton Hill.

At what cost is this accolade of being the best when there isn't anything left to value? It's not always about money. Staff morale is at its lowest and is unlikely to recover like the Shrewsbury day centres.

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