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Watchdog accuses Wirral Council of discrimination against disabled people

5:00pm Thursday 20th January 2011 in News Exclusive By Leigh Marles, Editor

Martin Morton: Exposed council's overcharging of disabled care home residents Martin Morton: Exposed council's overcharging of disabled care home residents

THE UK's powerful equality watchdog has accused Wirral Council of discriminating against disabled people - and it could cost the town hall £500,000 in compensation.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission says the authority should include its findings in an ongoing inquiry into the systematic overcharging of disabled people in council care.

The shock ruling centres around a scandal in which elderly and vulnerable people living in homes at Bermuda Road, Curlew Way and Edgehill Road, all in Moreton, were systematically overcharged by Adult Social Services for seven years from 1997.

The scandal only came to light after former council employee Martin Morton revealed the overcharging to the Wirral Globe in November, 2008.

He had raised his concerns several times with his managers, but claimed he was ignored, bullied and driven out of his job.

Following our exclusive reports, two senior officers were suspended but, after disciplinary hearings, were later reinstated.

The outcome of an investigation saw the council agreeing to repay almost a quarter-of-a-million pounds to 16 care home residents.

However, a change of administration after last May's local elections saw a new and independent inquiry immediately being launched chaired by Anna Klonowski, a senior public sector professional with more than 20 years' experience, leading the review.

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Now it has been claimed that the compensation package could rise by a massive £500,000 if the inquiry agrees with the Equality Commission's view that the overcharging represented discrimination against the disabled.

A confidential email by the Commission's disability committee chairman Mike Smith has been seen by the Globe.

It states: "I do not agree with the conclusions drawn by the council's Director of Law that discrimination did not occur because the residents were not overcharged for reasons relating to disability.

"Current discrimination law clearly establishes that motive and intent are irrelevant to this issue.

"The facts are that disabled people were subject to unlawful levels of charging (whether of not the cause was maladministration)."

It continues: "It is the opinion of the Commission that [these] concerns should be included in the inquiry in order to identify whether there are other issues or systemic problems that need to be addressed."

Councillor Simon Mountney, who has championed whistleblower Martin Morton's cause, said: "This scandal just gets worse and worse.

"The compensation of £250,000 paid to our residents was set in the light of a ruling by our legal department that the council had not acted in a discriminatory manner.

"It would have been far higher otherwise.

"It is my understanding that a further £500,000 would need to be added to that package if discrimination is found to have occurred."

Council leader Cllr Jeff Green said: "As soon as the issue of discrimination was brought to my attention I raised it with our legal department and was not satisfied with the answers I received.

"I asked at that point for the Anna Klonowski inquiry to be widened to include the Equality Commission's findings.

"I have received assurance that this has been done and I am pressing for the inquiry report to be completed as soon as possible."

Comments(71)

Webstertheobscure says...
12:08pm Thu 13 Jan 11

Simon Mountney : "This scandal just gets worse and worse. "

I does indeed, and sadly this shambolic organisation has learnt nothing from this whole sorry affair.

Bad practice is still endemic. It's time to bring everybody responsible to book, not to let them quietly leave on enhanced terms and conditions after years of abject failure, maladministration, bullying whilst treating the people of Wirral with utter contempt. John Webb is one of many names that springs to mind.
The public deserves the truth not endless blithe justifications and cover ups.

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PaulCa says...
12:51pm Thu 13 Jan 11

If there was one subject not up for political points-scoring, it is this. As a fair-minded individual, lies and party political opportunism turns my stomach. So let's level things up. Who contacted the watchdog, following a complaint by a constituent? Angela Eagle MP. It's only right that she is mentioned, because others mentioned in this article sat on their hands. In truth, Jeff Green, who is now seeking to give the false impression of 'standing for no nonsense' was actually happy to proceed with his Director of Law's original perverse interpretation, arrived at last November - that there was NO DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION. He only changed position when he received the watchdog's letter - a couple of days ago. Nasty people these politicians. Now get it sorted Mr Green - we are watching you very closely.

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West Wirral Reader says...
12:52pm Thu 13 Jan 11

The point about John Webb is the most important one. And Kevin Miller before him.

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spenser says...
1:45pm Thu 13 Jan 11

What about some of those managers who've just gone from Social Services,particularl
y those with connections to old people?

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Marleys Ghost says...
3:57pm Thu 13 Jan 11

A point of clarification: it is my understanding from previous articles that the houses where the overcharging took place were for people who had learning disabilities. As such they would have very limited literacy and numeracy skills if any at all. It was therefore easy for the council to impose a “Special Charge Policy” as the victims would not realise what was being done to them; they would have relied on council employees, such as Mr. Morton, to look after their interests and make sure that they were not being abused. It is my view that the council actions were clearly discriminatory to this group as the officers in question knew full well that they would not get away with such actions to any other client group. Thank goodness Mr. Morton stuck to doing what he was supposed to do rather than cow-tow to the senior managers who he knew to be both professionally and morally wrong.

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MX says...
5:59pm Thu 13 Jan 11

Hang on a minute.
16 people with learning disabilities are unlawfully charged for many years and it takes the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to inform Wirral Council that this was discrimination?.

What were Senior Managers in Adult Social Services thinking?. That equality and human rights don't apply to the disabled?-What is more appalling is that it would seem that some of the people who were responsible for discriminating against people with disabilities are still responsible for addressing the many shortcomings identified in the recent damning Care Quality Commission report.

What hope is there that this Department will ever be able to make the necessary improvements if those people have no understanding of equality or human rights?.

Right would surely be done if those responsible for this discrimination were personally held accountable for their actions and surcharged for the full reimbursement of £500K which would be taken from their inflated salaries and enhanced pensions .

And exactly what have the Committee responsible for overseeing Adult Social Services been doing all this time?- putting their fingers in their ears and humming loudly?.No wonder the silence is deafening.
There has been no condemnation from anyone from this Committee.Clearly they also didn't recognize what happened was clearly discrimination which is really,really scary.

Why hasn't the Chair resigned? - the CQC report was bad but it just gets worse.
I dread to think what else was going on.

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statictom says...
7:44pm Thu 13 Jan 11

It seems a case of the blind leading the blind - when the councils own Director of Law gets it so wrong. Despite the damning CQC report and all of the above, Adult Social Services continues to be run by headless chickens. They are closing old folks homes, closing respite centres like Maplehome, all this with no consultation with the people that matter. They are supposed to carry out Impact Assessments to see how this will effect the vulnerable people, it does not happen. They will need to save as much as they can for when they move out of Westminster House, which they sold to Wirral Partnership homes, to new surrounds. The cost of that move will be astronomical.

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Jayo says...
8:37pm Thu 13 Jan 11

Another kind gift from the old labour comrades.
I see from other posts that you seem to think that the people in these posts are actually qualified to perform the duties expected. We should be demanding proof of competence.

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spenser says...
9:57pm Thu 13 Jan 11

statictom wrote:
It seems a case of the blind leading the blind - when the councils own Director of Law gets it so wrong. Despite the damning CQC report and all of the above, Adult Social Services continues to be run by headless chickens. They are closing old folks homes, closing respite centres like Maplehome, all this with no consultation with the people that matter. They are supposed to carry out Impact Assessments to see how this will effect the vulnerable people, it does not happen. They will need to save as much as they can for when they move out of Westminster House, which they sold to Wirral Partnership homes, to new surrounds. The cost of that move will be astronomical.
Yes closing council run old peoples homes without a whimper-absolutely disgusting.And some who are responsible have shot off into the sunset with their payoffs without a care in the world for what they have left behind.

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West Wirral Reader says...
8:36am Fri 14 Jan 11

The problem with Wirral Council - then as now - is that the civil servants are still managing, with some considerable success, to pull the wool over the elected members' eyes. Largely because that's the way it always has been

Sure, the odd report here or there can condemn this, that and the other. And what actually happens? Cllr Tufton Trumpton will demand a "review", Cllr Mealy Mouth will second it with a resounding thump of her desk, both major parties will then blame the other, a thin-lipped director will take a golden-plated early retirement without facing any inquiry whatsoever, an election will take place to distract those pesky voters, and then everyone will clap each other on the back, say "phew", and carry on as they were in the first place.

Meanwhile, the vulnerable keep on getting ripped off, the elderly further shuffled to the back of the "to do" lists, and the bins still don't get emptied.

God help us if the Government actually means it about further empowering Town Halls (not that they actually do, of course)...

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hugo2008 says...
9:43am Fri 14 Jan 11

Come on Jeff Green, remember the so called director of law is the same person who orchestrated the withholding of important information from legitimately elected councillors including yourself, over the miserable library closure farce.

John Webb and Kevin Miller have walked away with pockets full of cash, both leaving behind a scandal so deep it is hard to comprehend.
Steve Maddox, knew and under the old boys secretive act glossed over this scandal for years.
Steve Foulkes was deeply implicated in all this mud for years and took very little action to correct the situation.

Now its your turn, be a man of decisive action and clean out the whole nest of parasites deeply involved, you owe to yourself and to thousands of others who for no fault of their own have been deceived, robbed, abused, and treated with contempt, in a deeply flawed and corrupt regime.
If you do nothing else in your career, then at least be true to yourself, and the deep felling of shame you feel.

The very least the whole of WBC Management and all the Elected Councillors could do is to apologise to Mr Martin Morton, without reservation.

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spenser says...
10:09am Fri 14 Jan 11

And they should be true to the old people that they are treating so badly in closing the homes. Where's the so called 'duty of care'. Washed away with the payouts to those who've taken the money and gone.

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ArdalMcFardle says...
11:37am Fri 14 Jan 11

Maddox gets the freedom of Wirral, Martin Morton gets bullied out of a job, merely for doing what is right. Is it just me or does that seem a little unfair?

With all this going on is it any wonder morale is at absolute rock bottom in this authority and that many workers are imploding through stress. Of course the Councils own absence procedures merely compounds the problem, designed to harangue genuinely ill people back to work ASAP as ever not seeking to look at the root cause high levels of sickness. (ie' incompetent management, woeful procedures )

They have no respect for staff, service users, or the general public, corruption and bad practice appears to be endemic and therefore only a massive culture change is required if this authority is ever going to be 'fit for purpose'

I wonder what other dubious practices are carried out in WBC, in terms of cost cutting ?

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PaulCa says...
2:41pm Fri 14 Jan 11

Who is entrusted under the Disability Discrimination Act with ensuring that Wirral's disabled and vulnerable people, of whatever age or background, are not illegally discriminated against? Who do you report it to if you discover a vulnerable person being abused? Who are the last people you would expect to deliberately set about damaging the lives of a group of disabled people, unable to defend themselves - a number of whom are now deceased? Step forward Wirral Council. Don't forget that some of the councillors, active in denying, obscuring or minimising the Council's abuse are still in situ - and some are chairing the very committees charged with addressing the abuse e.g. Councillor Moira McLaughlin (Deputy Mayor and chair of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee). There is now an opportunity for this relatively 'new' administration to bring in some accountability. The leader needs to face up to some uncomfortable truths and do something progressive and radical - something he will be remembered for. At the moment, the people of Wirral are wanting to hang their heads in shame. There are echoes here of the Catholic Church and its paedophile priests and bishops - where the innocent and vulnerable masses flocked to them for support and protection, only to be met with deliberate, long term, calculated abuse, and eventual exposure, followed by denials, lies, minimisation, protection of the abusers, and pay-offs. All the classic ugly ingredients are about to be laid bare here on the Wirral. It's absolutely scandalous and frankly, it makes me ashamed to live here. The high profile officers who recently 'did one' in order to avoid the axe, always chose to reside in Cheshire, and still do. Was that so they could practise their ugly abuse at a safe distance and not sully the home soil? Would they have been ashamed to live here? Can they now be brought back to face the music once and for all?

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MX says...
5:09pm Fri 14 Jan 11

Absolutely right.
There is only one reason that this sitaution persisted for years and that is because of "friends in high places" with particularly low morals.
Maddox being granted "Freedom of the Borough" and receiving "additional pension costs" was one thing but
McLaughlin for Mayor is an insult to injury! .
They must think we're stupid, but we all know it's a ploy to prevent criticism or dissent:
"How dare you malign the good name of the Mayor and don't you know Lord Maddox De La Wirral has got an OBE and the Freedom of the Borough - these pillars of the community are simply beyond reproach" .
No I'm afraid they're not,they are (or were) public servants and accountable for their actions or inactions.

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ArdalMcFardle says...
12:21am Sat 15 Jan 11

It seems Wirral Borough Council's view of accountability and responsibility is very much based on the 'Chuckle Brother' model. 'To you , to me , to you ...repeat ad infinitum.

But seriously who will stand up and say ' Yes as an elected member , I will do my duty to serve the public and I will ensure DASS is fit for purpose . Anyone ? ?
Hello...?

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PaulCa says...
9:35am Sat 15 Jan 11

The only councillor who appears to have been on the side of Martin, and these vulnerable people in Moreton has been Simon Mountney. I imagine that in the next few weeks, as things unravel, others will start to emerge from the woodwork. What's in the public interest now is that THEY turn the heat up on their corrupt colleagues. Mike Smith's letter can be the start of this process. Here is a chance for councillors to get onboard and build momentum. "Things fall apart. The centre cannot hold." "But at the length, truth will out".

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Webstertheobscure says...
12:02pm Sat 15 Jan 11

A disgrace. Sickening in fact, i wonder how many MBA's this helped fund. Get rid of careerist managers and bring back people, like Mr Morton who have the integrity and bravery to stand up to the bullies and say 'this is wrong'

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Bruce Lee says...
12:50pm Sun 16 Jan 11

"Human rights"? What a joke,more like "Humans moan"! What is it with you people? Access to everywhere,including public footpaths in the country! That was a cracker that one,would have cost a little bit too much though wouldn't it. The amount of people with blue badge stickers,new cars and those little trollies they ride round in and the worlds still not good enough. And don't WE have to pay.

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PaulCa says...
1:57pm Sun 16 Jan 11

The Nazis had their chance and failed Bruce - thanks to many of the older, now disabled people who fought on our behalf. There are lessons for Wirral's councillors and senior officers also here. Read and learn:
http://www.equalityh
umanrights.com/key-p
rojects/triennial-re
view/

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MX says...
2:47pm Sun 16 Jan 11

The problem with "us people" Bruce is that we would defend your right to hold your opinion even if we believe it to be wrong.
Don't muddy the footpath.This is about the moolah.
Would it be Ok if I took half of what's left of your hard earned cash after tax every week?.
If so I'll give you my bank details so you can set up a direct debit!.

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TheLooseCannon says...
6:58pm Sun 16 Jan 11

I suspect Bruce Lee has suffered one too many karate chops to his head. There cannot be any other explanation for such a disgraceful comment in a thread about people who do not have his advantages, and cannot speak for themselves.

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Webstertheobscure says...
7:37pm Sun 16 Jan 11

Well Bruce, you're obviously not ' as fast as lightening' but your views are ' a little big frightening.'

Please define 'you people.'

Actually don't, this is a serious issue and we don't actually need incomprehensible 'Littlejohn' style rhetoric to cloud the issue. This is about people being taken advantage of by the very organisation whose role it was look after their interests.

If that's not worthy of a 'moan', then really, I don't know what is?

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Webstertheobscure says...
7:44pm Sun 16 Jan 11

Of course that should have read ' A little *bit* frightening'

The Council's own website states they aim to promote 'health and safety, including freedom from harm, abuse and neglect. ' Really ???

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MX says...
8:03pm Sun 16 Jan 11

I'm almost ashamed to write this but LOL or should that be ROFLMAO?!.

Thomas Hardy and Carl Douglas references in the same post.Genius.

Very post-modern Mr or Ms Webster (not to be confused with Webbmeister -he's history!).
I'd like to throw another reference in there from Mr.Wilde (no,not the one who sang: "I'd do anyfink" ......) : "If you want to tell people the truth - make them laugh....or they will kill you"

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Bruce Lee says...
10:44am Mon 17 Jan 11

Here we go "nazi" "exteme views". I'm not saying you people should be shot. I AM saying not EVERYBODY is interested in YOU people. Moan,moan,moan. Nothing is ever enough for YOU PEOPLE. I'm not interested. And I'm not the only one. Bit of a John Lennon reference for YOU musical PEOPLE there.

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Webstertheobscure says...
12:36pm Mon 17 Jan 11

I'll give you a John Lennon reference Brucie baby

'I’m sick and tired of hearing things From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocrites All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth
I’ve had enough of reading things
By neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth.

'Nothing is ever enough for YOU PEOPLE. ' Eh ? Care to explain that incongruous assertion? So you approve of vulnerable people being taken advantage of then Bruce? You think that doesn't merit an investigation? You think that those responsible should not be held accountable? Well with that twisted view of morality, I predict a glittering career in WBC awaits you. You'll go far. Start making sense eh ?

I knew there was a reason I preferred Chuck Norris

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Ben Beaconsfield says...
12:41pm Mon 17 Jan 11

At the end of the day, those ultimately responsible are the councillors. They employ the council officers and have a duty to us to ensure that those officers do their jobs correctly.
More often than not, however, councillors seem more inclined to make political capital out of other people's misery, whilst treating enquiring voters with contempt.
Want an example? Look at PaulCa's posting at the top of this exchange. He makes some serious charges against Cllr Jeff Green, yet from that councillor we have a deafening silence in response.
Are we to assume that PaulCa's charges are correct?
Come on Jeff, stand up for yourself...

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Jack Boot says...
1:31pm Mon 17 Jan 11

Hey Bruce, its quite fortunate that your namesake died before he could enter one of these homes, Chuck Norris may not be so fortunate! However, Grasshopper has my sympathy, death in a wardrobe...

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ArdalMcFardle says...
1:41pm Mon 17 Jan 11

What a singularly odd person Bruce appears to be. What on earth does he mean 'Nothing is ever enough for YOU PEOPLE. ' enough in what sense?? It's almost like he's taking it personally?

I like just love the fact that to prove he's 'not interested' he signs up for an account here and posts what can only be desrcibes as ' a random flow of conciousness' . Stay off the sauce old bean and let the grown ups discuss important matters. We need to stay 'on topic' here.

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Jack Boot says...
2:02pm Mon 17 Jan 11

Hey Ardle, you just authored a diatribe totally off topic get back in your wheelchair (back to the subject)

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spenser says...
3:06pm Mon 17 Jan 11

Ben Beaconsfield wrote:
At the end of the day, those ultimately responsible are the councillors. They employ the council officers and have a duty to us to ensure that those officers do their jobs correctly. More often than not, however, councillors seem more inclined to make political capital out of other people's misery, whilst treating enquiring voters with contempt. Want an example? Look at PaulCa's posting at the top of this exchange. He makes some serious charges against Cllr Jeff Green, yet from that councillor we have a deafening silence in response. Are we to assume that PaulCa's charges are correct? Come on Jeff, stand up for yourself...
Not just Councillor Green-it's like Robin Hood without his merry men.Councillor McLaughlin too.What about all those ex Adult Social Services managers who've taken the money and run,totally unconcerned about what they've left behind and the huge problems they're causing others as a result.

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Bruce Lee says...
3:09pm Mon 17 Jan 11

No.1,I was never a big fan of that self righteous,over-rated backing musician aka John(Jesus)Lennon. I could quote you a few lines because I've had his mediocre "music" rammed down my ear holes these last 40 years. I could quote Stalin,doesn't make me a fan. No.2,I haven't got a CLUE what ArdlMcfar...whatever
,is on about. I'm talking Human rights,people. I'm talking about people who think the world owes them. If you are worthy,we will find you and look after you. Don't beg,it's degrading.

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Jayo says...
9:29pm Mon 17 Jan 11

To bruce lee
And you think you're so clever and classless and free.
But you're still a * peasant as far as I can see.

* Omitted at the insistence of The Wirral Globe.

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ArdalMcFardle says...
9:33pm Mon 17 Jan 11

It's ArdalMcFardle, quite easy when you learn to type...I'm not suprised and somewhat relieved you don't understand me Bruce old fruit, beacuse you clearly reside in Cloud Cuckoo Land.

What I can't work out myself is what the hell anything you are balthering on about has got to do with WBC's treatement of vulnerable people ? And what the devil are you so angry about, other than you seem to have some sort of ill thought out bugbear that people shouldn't have decent care. Like a broken pencil you have no point.

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spenser says...
10:09am Tue 18 Jan 11

But from WBC and those managers past and present involved in the reatment of old and vulnerable people,the silence is deafening. Why am I not surprised?

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ArdalMcFardle says...
11:55am Tue 18 Jan 11

Well the councillors are being told that DASS has had a tough time but is now back on track. Really ? That's not what CQC thought. But the 'Senior' Officers can quite easliy pull the wool over elected members eyes, they have stratergies to do this. And of course Councillors are only to happy to accept this, easy life and all that.

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statictom says...
12:59pm Tue 18 Jan 11

ArdalMcFardle - Well the councillors are being told that DASS has had a tough time but is now back on track.
This same department is currently in the process of returning the Community Transport Vehicles(white buses) back to Mercedes . They are now being replaced with much older vehicles now that the service went out to tender. Cheaper tender does not always mean a better service. Only time will tell if this new service is as good as the previous - I doubt it though.

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spenser says...
1:59pm Tue 18 Jan 11

Told by whom? How exactly are they back on track? By closing all the council run old peoples' homes and hushing it up? By letting ''managers'' leave with fat payoffs and silence? And by letting old people caught in the middle and affected by it all suffer even more ? And nobody seems to care.

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ArdalMcFardle says...
2:18pm Wed 19 Jan 11

spenser wrote:
Told by whom? How exactly are they back on track? By closing all the council run old peoples' homes and hushing it up? By letting ''managers'' leave with fat payoffs and silence? And by letting old people caught in the middle and affected by it all suffer even more ? And nobody seems to care.
Told by whom ? The tangled webb spun by senior managers. You'd be amazed how a flashy power point presentation, (which a six year old could produce) all style over substance, with graphs and PI's that make little sense, can impress the technological luddite . Throw in some choice phrases like ' a bespoke service', 'rights based approach' and 'person centred'

It's easier to stomach lies than the truth.
Time for our elected members to wake up and smell the BS

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ArdalMcFardle says...
2:19pm Wed 19 Jan 11

Oh by the way safeguarding has got a red light again.

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spenser says...
2:47pm Wed 19 Jan 11

Time for our elected members to wake up and smell the BS


They won't because they don't care .

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Exitstageleft says...
3:22pm Wed 19 Jan 11

I have a parent who was recently seen by Social Services. We expected a social worker but weeks into the process we found out it was a clerk who didnt know what they were doing. When i complained I was fobbed off. Reading this story makes me realise that this council just doesn’t care at all. I hope the ones to blame do eventually do the right thing and take the blame .

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Webstertheobscure says...
6:05pm Wed 19 Jan 11

A bespoke service??? WBC actually think they run a bespoke service hahahahahahaha.

No wait, even better, the third worst social service department in the country actually have the gall to suggest that the service they provide is bespoke and person centred?? The only thing personalisation is custom made to do is claw back money whilst giving the illusion of choice.

They are truly delusional, the councillors have more nouse than to swallow that ridculous assertion ?
Give it six months. The charade will be exposed.

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hugo2008 says...
8:27am Thu 20 Jan 11

Just about every contributor to this action and on these pages have condemned the authority in one way or another.

Yet not a word from the Elected Representative Councillors, or for that matter the very highly paid Council Officers, in any form of explanation.

What does that tell us Rate Payers, Tax Payers, and population of Wirral those so called people we trust to provide our services DO NOT GIVE A MONKEYS.

All I ask is do remember this come election time, it is the only chance you get.

If your local Councillors has been in office for any number of years, please do not re-elect them, unless you receive a personal promise that this will be cleared up immediately and all those involved will be cleared out office.
No Exceptions, lets see some people power.

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Webstertheobscure says...
10:48am Thu 20 Jan 11

We need an anti-corruption candidate.

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spenser says...
10:51am Thu 20 Jan 11

Why doesn't the Globe as the local newspaper go and put the points raised in these comments to the relevant people? There has been hardly a sniff of a mention of some of the things brought up in the local press.One has to ask why.

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Leigh Marles says...
2:48pm Thu 20 Jan 11

Ask why? As in "The Globe is conspiring with the council and is part of the cover up." Is that what you mean? Want to know what would have happened about this entire "overcharging policy" issue if it wasn't for the Globe? NOTHING, that's what. You'd never even have heard the name Martin Morton, there would have been no inquiries, no compensation paid, no officers suspended. It was only when the Globe put it all over the front page two years ago (and has kept the story alive ever since) that anyone at the council actually took any notice of what Martin had been telling them for years.

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PaulCa says...
3:47pm Thu 20 Jan 11

As Leigh says, the Globe HAS been putting these points, in its own way, to the relevant people, via its front page and its website, for some time - all done in the public interest. Other newspapers have failed to pick up on it and report it. On Tuesday just gone, the Globe's efforts were mocked and derided by the chair Moira McLaughlin at a Council Health and Well Being Scrutinee Committee - along the lines of "you don't believe everything you read in the papers do you?" She was implying the letter from the EHRC watchdog referred to above may have been somehow irrelevant because excerpts had appeared in a newspaper. In the face of this defensive behaviour, it's up to us to get involved - like you say Spenser, to 'go and put these points to the relevant people' - that's our job, as voters, 'service users' and council tax payers. There is a growing number of people suffering directly or indirectly due to the ongoing failings of this Council. We have to attend the committees - which is difficult because you'll view the hypocrisy in full flow - and witness these weak excuses for councillors (with only a couple of notable exceptions) sitting mute. If most of them don't feel courageous enough to do or say anything, we have to pressurise them. We have to keep lobbying on behalf of vulnerable and disabled people, bullied Council staff, Martin Morton and anybody else who feels like they are currently being crushed under the Council's jackboot.

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spenser says...
6:49pm Thu 20 Jan 11

Okay. But they are still planning to close the council run old peoples' homes by the end of March. Adult Social Service managers have left with their large payouts and it's just being allowed to happen.Councillor McLaughlin and her ilk should be ashamed of themselves.

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West Wirral Reader says...
10:43am Fri 21 Jan 11

Moira's "don't believe everything you read in the newspapers" remark might as well have fallen out of Steve Foulkes' mouth.

When this whole outrage first came to light two years ago, the council at first refused point blank to confirm, deny or admit anything.

Within days of the Globe's story, two senior officers were suspended despite the fact Martin Morton had been banging on at his superiors for YEARS about the scandal under their very noses. It was Martin's courageous decision to go to the Globe that finally got him somewhere.

But on the suspensions, Moira blanked all queries and questions. She's too important for all that. So did Foulkes. He's too ruddy.

The town hall's grotesque and expensive spin machine - precisely zero redundancies there, voluntary or otherwise, incidentally - refused to answer any specifics with the laughable defence that it had to "protect" its employees.

Then they outrageously briefed off the record that Martin Morton was "probably a bit mad". Seriously. That's how low they'll stoop.

Mad? No, he was bloody furious.

Then, when they realised the game was up, with Webb sitting before them like the child who'd wet his pants, Foulkes merely described it as "not our finest hour", without saying precisely who "our" actually was: Certainly not him, certainly not Moira, certainly not anyone in his elected administration, and judging by the complete lack of sackings, actually no one's fault at all.

If anything, it was probably the fault of the dratted vulnerable residents and that awful, "probably mad" Martin Morton. If they hadn't been vulnerable and he'd just kept his mouth shut, none of this trouble would have arisen in the first place...

But no worries. Miller got his massive pay off and pension. Webb got his massive pay-off and pension. Foulkes Caesar and Pontius McLaughlin carried on - and keep carrying on - regardless.

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Webstertheobscure says...
11:57am Fri 21 Jan 11

I'd like to thank the Globe for keeping this in the public arena and not swallowing the spin from WBC HQ. Those in charge bring shame on the very concept of 'public service' and those who lie, cheat, abuse the public purse and shred documents shouldn't just receive a smack on the wrist, nor should they merely lose their jobs, they should face criminal charges.

This comment made me smile.
"Then, when they realised the game was up, with Webb sitting before them like the child who'd wet his pants"

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ArdalMcFardle says...
12:22pm Fri 21 Jan 11

So Martin Morton was a 'bit mad was he? '

it's the old 'mobbing' trick isn't it . Smear somebodys credibility to divert blame.

I note the Swiss banker in the wiki leaks story was described by his former employers thus '"Evidently disgruntled and frustrated about unfulfilled career aspirations, Mr. Elmer exhibited behaviour that was detrimental and unacceptable for the Bank, which led to termination of the employment relationship,"

How original ! I imagine that's the sort of uninspired line WBC will be taking in the future too.

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TheLooseCannon says...
3:35pm Fri 21 Jan 11

Whilst it's true that without the Globe far fewer Wirral residents would be aware of this scandalous case it's a little unfair for Leigh to claim that without the Globe there would have been no inquiries, reimbursement or suspensions of officers.
.
Those would all have happened, thanks to Martin Morton and Cllr Simon Mountney's dogged persistence in the face of the most despicable obfuscation and lies, and the determination of nameless and faceless supporters.
.
Nevertheless, thanks are due to the Globe for bringing it to the wider public, but this job is not done yet - not by a long chalk.

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spenser says...
5:49pm Fri 21 Jan 11

Nevertheless, thanks are due to the Globe for bringing it to the wider public, but this job is not done yet - not by a long chalk.


Here here.

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MX says...
5:59pm Fri 21 Jan 11

Martin Morton - "Mad,Bad & Dangerous to Know"!?.

Is this the best they can come up with?.
And from what I understand it was Kevin Miller who threatened to sue him for defamation of character!.
And guess what Moira McLaughlin has declared in Council meetings that Miller is a close personal friend.
It's all beginning to make sense isn't it?.

The Council's PR Department appears to be like Goebbels Ministry of Public Enlightenment & Propaganda only run by cut price Andy Coulsons (and look what happened to him and Goebbels!).

Meanwhile, as Spenser has raised a couple of times, essential services are being inceasingly eroded.
Is it any wonder with this shower running the show!.

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statictom says...
7:17pm Fri 21 Jan 11

PaulCa,
Excellent comments - Fancy a job in Social Services. I dont believe anyone in that department has made as much sense as you have in your comments.
I strongly agree with your comments about lobbying its the only way to get any where.
As already mentioned in these comments - Care Homes are closing, Respite Care Homes are closing, Council Transport section has been put out to tender and already new vehicles are being returned to where they came from and are being replaced by older vehicles (now run by private companies) - all to save money, certainly not to improve services .
Day Centres are next on the list with Service users now having to be assessed for Personal Budgets. The spin from Social Services is that these people can now decide what they want to do with their own budget instead of going to a Day Centre. They can buy their own services or pay someone to take them out. The problem is that the paperwork involved would baffle a nuclear scientist. These services are having the life squeezed out of them by a Department who just dont really care at all. I note that since the reshuffle of Adult Social Services following the CQC reports that more managers have taken post, despite junior staff being allowed to leave. We still have a top heavy department bringing in more bosses in an attempt to stop the rot. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING.
Well done to the Globe for keeping this issue running.

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ArdalMcFardle says...
8:32pm Fri 21 Jan 11

Oh and apparently a comment was made at commitee that everybody is 'delighted' with the training new staff have enjoyed. So that's a 3 year social work degree crammed into a few days in house training. Funny though CQC said that people were ill equipped to carry out their duties, lacking in experience and knowledge. The poor old councillors must be dizzy with all the spin.

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hugo2008 says...
9:43pm Fri 21 Jan 11

The Globe in the form of Leigh Marles have acted in the most sensible manner from day one of this terrible scandal.

And have done everything possible to secure some justice and correction in the whole debacle.

So do have the courtesy to give credit where credit is due.

Remember readers when it come to election time, any councillor who has been in office when all this took place and has done nothing to fix it, certainly does not deserve to be re-elected, and that goes double for the MPs.

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Toryman says...
7:27am Sat 22 Jan 11

I think that a balance has got to be struck between the cost that it takes to care and look after disabled people and how much they drain and take money from what we all pay.

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PaulCa says...
8:24am Sat 22 Jan 11

And when striking the balance, Toryman, don't forget to factor in the draining effect of corrupt senior officers (whose salaries amount to £millions annually) and corrupt councillors (whose allowances amount to £millions annually). They've all been complicit in steadily and deliberately dismantling what used to be a caring service for our disabled / poor / vulnerable people. It's all a massive and ongoing confidence trick, and it looks like you've fallen for it.

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MX says...
8:50am Sat 22 Jan 11

Hey Toryman
You're so right!.
Therefore in the interest of balance are you OK keeping 50% of your income and sending the rest to Wirral Council?.

I'd also like to wish you and your family the best of health in the hope that none of you ever become a "drain" on society and are forced to sell your house and end up in the "care" of Wirral Council.

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statictom says...
10:39am Sat 22 Jan 11

TORYMAN:
Which planet are you from. Government and council have a duty of care for all these vulnerable people. Their carers/parents are already saving this country/council BILLIONS every year by caring for their loved ones themselves. 2 million disabled/people with severe learning difficulties in this country but only 120,000 receive any form of care from local authorities. Thats over 1.8 million people abandoned to the system, left to fend for themselves. This council is making such a pigs ear of Social Care that its graded in the bottom three in the Country. We have an idiot in charge of the country who despite having had his own dreadful loss of a handicapped child, still fails to understand how poor councils are at dealing with these issues. His own empty promises to the family of Holly Williams, the young girl who is blind, epileptic and quadriplegic, whose family gets 6 hrs respite a week. They want extra hours of care, at a relatively small amount - if they can not get it the child goes into care at a cost of 2 - 3 thousand pounds per week.. This is the same position of many other carers at present who try to do the job themselves. Fail to help them and the system fails and the cost to the tax payer goes up. If every parent on the Wirral caring for someone suddenly gave up, Wirral would be bankrupt. I hope you never find yourself in a position where you have to be a drain on the system.

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ArdalMcFardle says...
11:34am Sat 22 Jan 11

So vulnerable people are a drain are they Toryboy ? No such thing as society eh ?

Say what you will about Kinnock, but his speech still resonates

- I warn you not to fall ill

- I warn you not to get old.

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spenser says...
1:31pm Sat 22 Jan 11

Councillor McLaughlin is not tory? What party does she claim to belong to?

Vulnerable people who have paid their taxes all their lives and been prudent and played by the rules are not drains on society like others who haven't. But they get treated more and more like lepers these days.

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Snappy10 says...
2:20pm Sat 22 Jan 11

Things can only get worse. Having recently experienced personalisation in action I am very worried. The person sent out to assess my mother was well meaning but clueless. We were promised all sorts ( a lot we did not even need) Now we need more care and have been told that we cant have any more as our personal budget has reached its limit. What are we supposed to do now?

I would urge more pressure to be placed on Wirrals social services to ensure that vulnerable people recieve better treatment. As for the bespoke comment. That shows how out of touch these people are. This saga is a complete disgrace.

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statictom says...
3:06pm Sat 22 Jan 11

Snappy10,
You can pressure Social Services by lodging a complaint with them if your care package is not up to the job. They must investigate the complaint and if your still not happy take them to a tribunal. This is set with 3 independant people who listen to the complaint. Dont be fobbed off by them. The council have to do all this for you, and you dont have to do anything. You are actually entitled by law to a tribunal and if all else fails there is the Ombudsman. Push social services all you can, you will be surprised what they can do when pushed. Final line - ask them how much it will cost THEM to care for your loved one.

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MX says...
3:27pm Sat 22 Jan 11

Snappy 10 confirms what others on this thread and what DASS staff have been saying for a long,long time (but nobody seems to listen to those who know best).
It is not the rose-tinted view that is presented by Adult Social Services "managers" at Committee meetings.
These people have been pulling the wool over the eyes of Councillors for years but they don't have to try too hard as Councillors take the Three Wise Monkeys approach.
This situation led to the damning CQC report.
If they think bullying staff into making Performance Indicator targets is the way to go then the situation will just get worse.

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Webstertheobscure says...
9:14am Tue 25 Jan 11

I wonder if there can ever be an justice in this case when advocates allegedly take the view that 'these people wouldn't know what to do with the money anyway' .

Which of course is a disgraceful way to speak about vulnerable people,

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statictom says...
5:54pm Tue 25 Jan 11

This same council tried to bully the people who they owed the money to. They even commented that by accepting the massive repayments they were due, they should think about it as it could effect the benefits that they receive. Just about sums up Wirral Council.

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Webstertheobscure says...
7:48am Mon 31 Jan 11

Didn't a FOI request reveal an email sent by senior managers saying something to the effect that 'if we admit to this the covers blown'

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