Kingston Council scrap care consultation blaming Royal Mail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Kingston Council scrap controversial care consultation blaming Royal Mail failure

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Kingston Council is blaming a Royal Mail blunder for failing to deliver letters about a controversial care costs consultation.

More than 1,000 letters were meant to go out on Monday, March 16, to those directly affected by plans to increase care contributions, but many claimed they had not received one.

The letters confirmed public talks on plans to assess people on 100 per cent of their net income, rather than the current 75 per cent, were being extended to May 10.

But the council said the letters were never delivered by Royal Mail and had now “indefinitely suspended” the consultation.

Former Conservative Councillor Lynne Finnerty said: “This suspension gives the council an ideal opportunity to scrap the consultation altogether.

“The consultation was flawed anyway with two loaded questions and officers omitting the crucial question about the impact of the huge increase.

“Disabled and older people and their carers have experienced anxiety and uncertainty since February. The council should do the right thing and abandon this proposal.”

Carers were also angered after council budget papers, published in February, already outlined a saving of £240,000 by assessing people on the proposed changes before the end of the consultation.

The process was originally due to end on March 31 but after complaints this had been extended prior to the suspension.

Councillor Julie Pickering, lead member for health and social care, previously admitted she was “embarrassed” by the way the consultation had been dealt with.

She said: “We have decided that the only way the council can be fair to all is to suspend this consultation for the time being.

“We thank all those who have responded already and we will now talk further with our residents and their families who would be affected by any changes to charging, to find a way forward.”

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “We are investigating this as a matter of urgency and will share our findings with the council.”

[POSTMAN]

My council tax cheque is in the post.

[DGP1]

What's the odds it was sent out DSA

[Bernardson]

Our local council sent out the council tax bills DSA three weeks later they are still coming through the pipe line!