THE question of Worcest-ershire County Council deficits in social services has become a tawdry story embellished by spin-doctors.

Fact: At last July's council meeting it was made public that social services had a 'budget variance' for the year likely to be £2.1m.

Some deficiency had been known since the previous Christmas and we were told the answer was: (a) the imposition of a new strategy and (b) cuts - mostly in elderly services.

By September it was clear the new strategy was not working, the cuts were a disaster to bed blocking in hospitals, and the projected overspend was now estimated to be £4.6m.

It left the management of the department in disarray and the political chairman (portfolio holder) unable to restore financial probity.

Fact: On September 26, the Conservative group called a meeting to demand the resignation of the portfolio holder, Cllr Peter Pinfield, and the acceptance of corporate council responsibility for the overspend. We were defeated on both counts.

Fact: Overspend in this department is no flash in the pan.

Cllr Pinfield says the health authority has been given a financial boost to alleviate the winter crisis and approximately £500,000 for social services will provide residential care to release hospital beds for urgent cases.

Fact: It will buy up to 12 beds a week, sufficient only to cover the vacancy rate.

Fact: The call centre, set up last year to co-ordinate home care cost £300,000 to run and is inefficient.

Fact: The Specific Issues Scrutiny Panel set up by the council to investigate the whole matter has issued an interim report but was then directed to other areas. Conservatives managed to reinstate it to finalise its investigations.

We question still the corporate council responsibility for the poor management and constantly extending wish lists which leave elderly and disabled people in jeopardy.

Cllr June Longmuir,

(Bromsgrove South)

Conservative group leader.