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Services for disabled children in firing line under budget cuts

Around £485,000 will be slashed from services for disabled children in Derbyshire under new cost-cutting plans by the county council. The authority has to cut £157 million over the next four years - and services currently on offer to families without the need for an assessment are among those in the firing line.

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‘Budget cuts mean we have to think the unthinkable’

Senior council leaders in Derbyshire say severe budget cuts have meant they have had to “think the unthinkable” when finding services to cut to save cash.

The county council has to slash £157 million from budgets over the next four years - and some services for disabled children are now under threat.

The council says that if approved, the cuts would save £485,000 a year Credit: PA

Children’s services chief, Councillor Kevin Gillott, said:

The unrelenting budget cuts that are being forced on us by the Government mean we have to cut our spending on services by more than a third.

I don't want to be in a position of having to consider making these cuts but we have been left with no choice.

I realise the impact these proposals will have on Derbyshire families with disabled children - many of whom have been receiving this support for years.

But we simply don't have the money to provide everything we'd like to and we're being forced in to a position where we have to put money where it is most needed.

– Councillor Kevin Gillott, Derbyshire County Council

He said no decision would be made until after a public consultation, which would be held in Autumn if agreed by council next week.

If all the changes went ahead it would save an estimated £485,000 a year.

Threat to services for disabled children in budget cuts

Around £485,000 will be slashed from services for disabled children in Derbyshire under new cost-cutting plans by the county council.

The authority has to cut £157 million over the next four years - and services currently on offer to families without the need for an assessment are among those in the firing line.

Derbyshire County Council says it needs to cut £157m from its budget by 2018 Credit: ITV News Central

The council will meet on Tuesday (August 5) to vote on whether to go ahead with a public consultation over the plans in the Autumn.

If approved, residents will be asked for their views on the future Aiming High Derbyshire Offer, which provides for respite care and short breaks for families with disabled children. It is under threat from budget cuts as it is not a legal requirement to provide the service.

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