Liberal Democrats in Somerset demand better deal for unpaid carers as part of council budget

More than 58,000 people in Somerset provide some form of unpaid care to family members, friends or neighbours, according to the 2011 census.

The Lib Dems have put forward a motion to next week’s Somerset County Council budget meeting, calling for “a better deal for carers” going forward – including more detailed formal assessments of their needs.

The ruling Conservative group has claimed such a policy would cost £58M to implement and said the budget already included extra funding for adults and children’s services.

Bridgwater mother-of-four Tasleem ‘Taz’ Haysham has backed the Lib Dems’ campaign, which forms part of the party’s manifesto for the local elections taking place on May 5.

Taz, whose son has a rare spinal cord condition, had to wait more than two years for a carer’s assessment.

In addition to looking after her son, she also provides care for her 88-year-old mother and has to manage her own disability from arthritis.

She said: “They [the county council] were only interested in one thing – how to avoid giving me any support. They even asked other members of the family to do more.”

Lifelong carer Taz, who has fostered four children, claims she didn’t receive a carer’s assessment from the council – despite officers knowing the number of people she was trying to care for.

She said: “It’s like the left hand didn’t know what the right hand was doing. Having lost their sister my boys really appreciate what they’ve got – I just want to give them a better life.

“A little bit of help means our family can stay together at home where we want to be. Putting people into hospital and care homes costs the taxpayer thousands.”

Councillor Jane Lock, the Lib Dems’ spokesperson for adult social care on the county council, said: “Cuts by the Conservatives have been heartless – people like Taz and thousands of others have been left without the support they need, which is why we are standing to put the heart put back into Somerset in these elections.

“Giving carers a break has been a key Lib Dem demand especially after Ed Davey, a carer himself, became leader. Financial support for carers makes huge economic sense, saving millions for both councils and the NHS.

“Public bodies should be doing everything they can to support carers not finding every excuse not to help.

“Our policy will guarantee a review of carer support beginning on day one of a Lib Dem administration for Somerset.”

A motion has been put forward by the party to be debated at the next full council, calling on the council to guarantee assessments for all unpaid carers, offer more support (including short respite breaks) and to lobby the government for more funding.

Councillor David Fothergill, who leads the ruling Conservative group on the county council, said carers’ hard work would be recognised in the final budget before the new unitary takes control.

He said: “The role of all carers across the county is really appreciated by the Conservatives at County Hall, and is part of the reason that our budget proposal contains an uplift of £18.1m to adult social care and £12.3m to children’s social care.

“Sadly it is quite clear that the Lib Dems have not taken the time to understand how social care works across the county.

“All carers are asked if they would like an individual assessment when they contact the council. Indeed, the new Eclipse system which has been designed with carers and locally based ‘micro-providers’ has that as a specific question.

“However, I do welcome the Lib Dems’ sudden interest in social care – albeit due to an upcoming election – and look forward to hearing their alternative budget next week, with the inclusion of £58m to fund this proposal.

“Or perhaps it’ll be yet another uncosted promise from the Lib Dems, which led to a doubling of council tax and £350M of borrowing the last time they were in control at County Hall.”

The full council will meet in Taunton on Wednesday, February 23 at 10am to set its annual budget.