ON FRIDAY, we published the concerns of Grays Riverside councillor, Jane Pothecary, over proposals to increase service charges to some Thurrock residents in sheltered housing.
Now the head of the Housing Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Gerard Rice has also spoken out against the proposals.
Cllr Rice has said that he welcomed the backing of his Housing Overview and Scrutiny committee as they voted 5-1 against elements of the new proposals, which, according to cllr Rice, could leave “vulnerable pensioners in sheltered housing with a hefty tax of £780 per year”.
Cllr Rice said: “Under the Tory proposals, many pensioners will be left with the tough choice between heating and eating next year due to the “Sheltered Service Charges”.
“Labour have opposed the huge tax hike for elderly residents and the committee proposed that, at the very least, existing tenants should be excluded from the massive increases.
Councillor Rice added “I find this Tory Tax most unfair on our vulnerable pensioners in our sheltered complexes. I was determined to stand up for our residents and so proposed an alternative to prevent existing tenants from being hit.”
“Five of the six members present supported my amendment, including one Conservative, Cllr Redsell”.
Councillor Rice concluded “I sincerely hope that Cabinet are listening to scrutiny because these plans have the potential to be very damaging to our vulnerable pensioners.”
Cllr Rice went down to sheltered accommodation in his ward to gauge their concerns.
Resident Barry Taylor of Arthur Barnes Court said “I’m really angry at these proposals. We’ve worked all our lives and now they’re trying to fleece us for every penny we’ve got. What’s happened to this borough when we won’t even look after our elderly?”
