“The government’s policy of allowing councils to raise council tax to pay for adult social care will raise an additional £5.6m – but this will only partially protect services which are facing a £12.2m cut this year.

“We’re doing everything we can to protect frontline services and Maggie Throup’s comments are an affront to our staff who are going above and beyond the call of duty.

“If the government is really serious about protecting and supporting vulnerable people then it should think again about the way social care is funded.

“This is a national problem and should be funded nationally.

“We are strongly committed to funding social care in Derbyshire and are one of the few authorities in the country which still has a substantial direct care service.
“In Derbyshire we’re already working closely with colleagues in the NHS and independent sector to integrate health and social care to ensure older and disabled people get the help they need and every penny is spent wisely.

“We are very proud of what we do, helping the people of Derbyshire to live independent, dignified lives and we’re investing in our services.

“We recently opened Florence Shipley, a £10m specialist community care centre in Heanor providing 32 residential care beds, dementia care, short-term respite beds and day services – it has won a national award for its design.

“Meadow View, our specialist centres for people with dementia and complex needs, offers 16 long-term residential beds and 16 short-term beds as well as day opportunities.

“We’ve started work on our £10m extra care housing and specialist residential scheme at Brown Edge Road in Buxton and plans are underway to replace a residential care home in Belper with a purpose-built development.”

Mandy Cann
Senior Communications Officer
Communications Division
Derbyshire County Council
County Hall, Matlock