The Lib Dem Group have called for the Conservative adminstration at Hertfordshire County Council to think again before going ahead with proposals to cut support for people with homelessness problems.
At the Council Meeting on Tuesday 19th July, 2016, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Adult Care and Public Health, County Councillor Ron Tindall, said: ‘The homeless in our society often exist in the twilight zone of our communities, isolated, often difficult to reach, barely in any position to exercise the rights to which they are entitled and usually even without a vote.
‘But it is a measure of a civilised society how we care for those less fortunate than ourselves. Many have mental health issues or learning difficulties and I do find it remarkable that shortly before the homeless motion was debated, the council unanimously passed a motion recognising the need to give greater attention to mental health.”
The clear problem with the Conservatives’ proposals is that they demand a cut of 15% in back office costs, without reducing the current numbers of people supported. But many charities already run on overheads around or less than 15%. It’s an impossible demand and the result is likely to be that with overhead costs not fully covered by council funding, over 100 homeless people across the county could be left without support.”