SIR – Councillor Philip Gretton, head of Worcestershire’s adult and community services, recently presented the county council’s case for cutting services and increasing their cost at a public meeting organised by Worcestershire Pensioners Action Group.
Yvonne Hossack, a solicitor-advocate, who was also at the meeting, expressed concern at the county council’s plans, and made it clear that phrases such as “modernising”, making people independent” and “bold” are different ways of saying cuts will be made.
She added that Government policies are not always in the best interests of people.
Indeed, I believe that the council’s policies are not in the best interests of local people who require decent care. Philip Gretton was mostly evasive about the council cuts, but he was refreshingly frank about undermining workers’ terms and conditions and privatising local services.
That said, I was appalled that Mr Gretton had the audacity to say that the council has acted “with due care and consideration” whilst also defending the chief executive Trish Haines’ six-figure salary and the use of consultants.
Neil Laurenson, Worcester
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