I would like to correct a few points made in Susann Palmer’s letter (‘Cuts to disability service a disgrace’, Echo, May 17).
First, despite the massive cuts in Government funding, Dorset County Council will not be withdrawing subsidies for transport for disabled people in the next financial year.
We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable and ensure that individual disabled people have their mobility needs met.
Currently, the council is subsidising transport for all disabled people, whether they meet eligibility criteria or not. We are currently in the process of reviewing all transport subsidies in the council and we are working with a number of organisations and individuals to make sure we have a service fit for the future.
Second, the county council has not ‘miscalculated its finances by £6million’.
The savings we are required to find over the next three years (£55million) remain as calculated, and we are on target to find most of the money earmarked for both 2011/12 and 2012/13.
However, some of the savings initially identified through various projects over the next couple of years are unlikely to be achieved within that time.
As a result, the council is now looking at other areas where savings might be delivered to help make up the shortfall.
Angus Campbell, Leader, Dorset County Council
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