A joint letter from Dartford MP, Dr Howard Stoate and Chatham and Aylesford MP, Jonathan Shaw strongly criticising KCC’s proposed changes to the Queen Elizabeth Resource Centre in Dartford was presented today to KCC Chairman Leyland Ridings at County Hall in Maidstone along with a 5,000 signature petition.

The letter and petition were handed over by opposition Labour KCC councillors who were in Maidstone to support a group of thirty of so QERC service users protesting against the changes outside County Hall.

The letter from the two MPs stated; “The Resource Centre has given many of our constituents the confidence, enthusiasm and a future plan to look forward to, which they did not have before. Our constituents are disappointed and feel that the council has taken decisions without the service users, carers or wider community involvement.”

“We feel that a petition with over 5,000 signatures sends a clear message that people are not satisfied with the process and the decision taken by the council. It is asserted that until the infrastructure is in place within the area to support disabled people in across Kent – the existing provisions at the QE centre should remain. We cannot but give our full backing to this campaign.”

“We note that it has been acknowledged in the report by the North West Kent Service Review Project (Interim Findings for the modernisation of services for people with Physical Disabilities) that (1.0.1.) The overwhelming response from Service Users was the value of the centre in combating social isolation, and the importance of being able to meet like-minded people in a safe environment. Service users also value the role of the centre in building confidence and gaining new skills (1.0.2.) Concern is expressed that despite the introduction of requirements of the DDA, public buildings and transport were still not fully accessible to people with disabilities, particularly if several individuals needing to use wheelchairs wanted to access buildings at the same time.”

“Furthermore (1.0.3.), concern is also expressed that society is un-welcoming to people with physical disabilities and that individuals do not feel comfortable being in public places without the support of other people with disabilities. In view of the circumstances and with the obvious public dissatisfaction, we would urge that you look into this matter and give this request urgent consideration.”