10:34am Wednesday 20th February 2008
By Rory McKeown
SOME £12million of extra investment could be on its way to services caring for some of Somerset's vulnerable people over the next three years, if it is agreed at a Somerset County Council meeting later this week.
As with the rest of the UK, the number of people with learning disabilities in Somerset has continued to rise and with an aging population and advances in medicine, the number of people using adult social care services has increased.
Somerset County Council's Learning Disabilities and Adult Social Care services could be set to receive the extra funding to make sure that they are capable of meeting these changing needs during a meeting to discuss the Budget today (Wednesday).
The proposals identify over £10million of additional funding for Learning Disabilities services and an extra £2.5million for Adult Social Care could be invested over the next three years.
The council's corporate director for Community, Miriam Maddison, said: "If approved, this investment will help Somerset County Council continue to provide excellent caring services to the County's most vulnerable people."
Cllr Justin Robinson, Portfolio Holder for Adult and Community Services added: "I am thankful that we are in a position to invest so substantially in these vital services.
"It is very satisfying to be able to protect and enhance funding services for services that matter most."
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk