MP presents petition before Parliament on behalf of users of the Queen Elizabeth Resource Centre

Dr Stoate has formally presented a petition of over 5,000 signatures before Parliament on behalf of users of the Queen Elizabeth Resource Centre.  The petition is seeking to prevent Kent County Council from closing the centre.  

The centre, which provides facilities and assistance for people with serious physical disabilities in an effort to improve their independence, is due to close in October, despite opposition from users.  

A large number of users of the centre gathered in Parliament Square on Monday the 21 July as part of an effort to highlight their campaign and presented their petition.

Talking about the campaign, Dr Stoate said, "I have every sympathy with users of the centre, and both my office and local councillors have made quite clear their opposition to these plans, which in my opinion, run roughshod over the wishes of disabled people in the north Kent area.  The sheer number of signatories on this petition shows how angry people are about this matter."

"Ultimately, this decision rests squarely on the shoulders of Kent County Council, who are responsible for commissioning services in the Kent area, but I hope that by presenting this petition before Parliament on behalf of service users I will will be helping to highlight the campaign to prevent the Queen Elizabeth Centre's closure and force Kent to act according to the wishes of its users."  

The Government is seeking to make disabled services increasingly community based so as to ensure increased inclusion amongst society.  Dr Stoate is calling for the QEF centre to be retained, with its current uses expanded to include other parts of the community.