'Grey power' protest over council funding

DOZENS of elderly people plan to take to the streets in protest this morning in a bid to "make grey power count" ahead of a crucial council budget meeting.

Pensioners will call for better support from Cornwall Council as councillors gather at the budget-setting meeting at County Hall in Truro.

The campaigners say they want greater recognition of the financial hardship suffered by the county's older people, and hope elected members of Cornwall Council set aside a suitable budget to help support the county's elderly population.

Protest organiser Peter Collins, treasurer of Penwith 50+ Forum, said he hoped up to 40 people of pensionable age would join him outside County Hall.

Mr Collins, 71, said: "This is something we feel very strongly about and want to make our elected members aware of.

"Cornwall's older people get a very raw deal and it is about time we had our voices heard. We are hoping this raises awareness, but that those with the power act on what we are telling them."

Some members of the group have already prepared special placards bearing the message "You'll be old soon", which Mr Collins said would be directed at Cornwall councillors as they walked into County Hall. Protesters say more money needs to be channelled into adult social care, including funding for day care centres for the elderly.

Councillors will this morning discuss the proposed adult care and support budget for the next financial year, which stands at £2.3 million.

Elected members will also be able to read concerns about the budget from the council's Health and Adults Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

In a written recommendation from the committee, Councillor Chris Goninan, the report states: "The committee considers the budget recommended for adult care and support was set too low, and had been for many years, and should be increased to meet the needs of the people of Cornwall."

Protester Mr Collins said: "If care homes are funded at low levels, can we be sure that residents are treated with dignity and respect?

"There is always flexibility in budgets, and we are hoping that the council takes notice of this.

"I am a very peaceful and placid man, but sometimes you just have to stand up and be counted. We want to make the point about grey power – there are a lot of elderly people in Cornwall and we all have the power to vote."

The issue will form part of this morning's discussion of the Corporate Business Plan, at which members will also be asked to vote on proposals to increase council tax by 2.9 per cent.

In December, council leader Alec Robertson said the budget should "provide the resources needed to 'fix' the areas which are currently under performing so that the council can move forward". This, he told the WMN, included adult care and support.