A done deal

Published: 11:39 AM March 13, 2008 Updated: 1:32 AM February 23, 2021

SIR, — I am one of the 5,000 who signed the carers petition to stop Herts County Council closing the day centre at the Jubilee Centre in Catherine Street, St Albans. I was incensed to hear the comments made by Robert Gordon, leader of the county council,

SIR, - I am one of the 5,000 who signed the carers petition to stop Herts County Council closing the day centre at the Jubilee Centre in Catherine Street, St Albans.

I was incensed to hear the comments made by Robert Gordon, leader of the county council, at the cabinet meeting when he said, "people will sign anything put in front of them". That may have been how he got voted in but I credit the voters of St Albans with more intelligence when they signed the Jubilee petition.

Regarding the highly-unprofessional comments made by the county council leader, I have doubts as to how professionally this whole affair has been handled The day centre is now to be relocated to Vesta Lodge in a spare sitting room accommodating up to 10 places - well that will really keep the community spirit going. As predicted the Jubilee Centre users are to be separated.

I sighed at Cllr Sally Newton's letter about older careers where she said: "Our staff will discuss their situation with them and let them know how we can help -that is what we are there for." For weeks the day-centre users' carers and the public have been trying through a very supportive network of local press to tell these people how they feel, but to no avail.

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No matter how hard they try to reassure the St Albans people that this is what is best for these needy people at the Jubilee, their decision is a basic money-saving exercise and everyone knows it.

In truth no-one is the least surprised by the outcome as everyone feels it was a done deal by the county council. Are we not supposed to live in a democratic country and our elected councillors supposed to listen to what the people want? Let's all watch and see which of our services will disappear next. It will surely be one that attacks the vulnerable. Any bets?