In the Chancellor’s red box on Wednesday were a raft of measures which pleased council leaders across Lincolnshire. But, plans for adult social care seemed to get lost in the paperwork.
Among the shortlist was money for potholes, an emergency package to tackle Coronavirus and investment for flood defences.
But, perhaps the most pressing issue for local authorities is how adult care is funded in the future.
Not a meeting goes by among senior county councillors without the topic being brought up.
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It was hoped that Rishi Sunak would address the issue during his speech.
The care of older and vulnerable people is one of the biggest responsibilities of local councils.
Adult care is one of local council’s biggest responsibilities. Picture: Stock.
But the government did not address the wider matter in its budget, something which Julie Ogley, president of the association of director of adult social services, said was disappointing.
“It is welcome that the government has announced a £5 billion fund that recognises the important role that local government, including social care, as well as the NHS and the wider public sector are playing in responding to the Covid-19 outbreak,” she said.
“We are however disappointed that the government has chosen not to address wider pressures on adult social care in the budget.
“The previously announced funding for 2020/21 is not enough to place the sector on a sustainable footing in the short-term.”
Currently, the government allows local authorities to increase the precept on council tax rates in order to fund social care.
But the care sector has long been overlooked by successive governments. Now is the time to sort it.
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Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) has confirmed plans to jet-wash blocked gullies in Leadenham following persistent flooding, which has left residents and businesses in constant fear of property damage during heavy rainfall.
The council intends to jet the A607 outside Leadenham Post Office as an urgent measure to mitigate ongoing flood risks, with a full clean scheduled for January. The announcement comes after a plea from Leadenham Parish Councillor Martyn Everett, who highlighted significant flooding along Sleaford Road.
A senior lecturer recently celebrated the news that East Midlands Railway will increase its train capacity on what he felt was an “overcrowded” service between Lincoln and Leicester.
Amir Badiee lives in Loughborough and for the past seven years has been commuting to his job at the University of Lincoln, but over the last two years he believes the train service has got worse. When he complained back in March he said he didn’t receive any response, but he believes his recent concerns aired in The Lincolnite helped to prompt a positive outcome.
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