Speaking Up! - Helping disabled people to speak up regarding local & national issues!
We regularly respond to consultations to ensure that our members have a voice on local and national issues. Get in touch if there is something you would like us to get involved with!
Cuts to Adult Social Care for 2017-18
Read more about our work trying to prevent cuts here:
Merton CIL Welfare Reform Summary October 2016
We were asked to report on the impact of Welfare Reform by London Borough of Merton’s Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel.
You can read our report here: Welfare Reform Summary
You can read the full minutes of the meeting on the Council’s website, here:
https://democracy.merton.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=151&MId=2528
Merton CIL Briefing on PIP Assessment Challenges October 2016
Read our report here: Merton CIL Briefing on PIP Assessment Challenges October 2016
Since we wrote this report, Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh held an Adjournment Debate in Parliament on the issue. You can see her speech on her website: http://www.siobhainmcdonagh.org.uk/newsroom/news.aspx?p=105231
Merton CIL response to plans for wheelie bins in Merton - 27th July 2016
Read more here: http://www.mertoncil.org.uk/services/speaking-up/merton-cil-response-to-plans-f/
Merton CIL Response To The Communities And Local Government Select Committee’s Inquiry Into The Financial Sustainability Of Local Authority Adult Social Care And The Quality Of Care Provided - August 2016
Read our response here: Merton CILs response
Find out a bit more here about what the Inquiry is all about: http://www.mertoncil.org.uk/services/speaking-up/is-the-funding-available-for-a/
The Final recommendations will appear on this website when they are published: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/communities-and-local-government-committee/news-parliament-2015/adult-social-care-launch-16-17/
Cuts to Adult Social Care for 2016-17
Read more about our work trying to prevent cuts here: http://www.mertoncil.org.uk/services/speaking-up/cuts-to-adult-social-care-for/
Children and young people’s mental health and well-being taskforce Nov 2014
Possible Closure of Welfare Assistance Fund Oct 2014
Read more here: http://www.mertoncil.org.uk/services/speaking-up/possible-closure-of-welfare-as/Personal Independence Payment Independent Review Aug 2014
Read more here: http://www.mertoncil.org.uk/services/speaking-up/personal-independence-payment/
Capital Call Under Threat – Spring 2014
Response to Commons Select Committee on Employment and Support Allowance and Work Capability Assessments March 2014
Read more here: http://www.mertoncil.org.uk/services/speaking-up/response-to-commons-select-com/Fulfilling Potential: Making it Happen – Better Working with Disabled People consultation, October 2013
Read more here: http://www.mertoncil.org.uk/services/speaking-up/fulfilling-potential-making-i/Response to Law Commission Review on Hate Crime September 2013
Read more here: http://www.mertoncil.org.uk/services/speaking-up/response-to-law-commission-rev/Response to consultation on the PIP assessment Moving around Activity August 2013
Read more here: http://www.mertoncil.org.uk/services/speaking-up/response-to-consultation-on-th/
YES to safer cycling, no to sharing narrow footways! October 2012
Read more here: http://www.mertoncil.org.uk/services/speaking-up/yes-to-safer-cycling-no-to-sh/
London Borough of Merton Plans to withdraw Discretionary Freedom Passes for People with Mental Health Needs in Merton - October 2012
Read more here: http://www.mertoncil.org.uk/services/speaking-up/london-borough-of-merton-plans/
Consultation by London Councils on Proposals to Introduce charging for lost, stolen, damaged and faulty passes July 2012
We considered this a tax on disabled people and responded saying that there should be no charge for lost cards unless negligence by the cardholder could be proven. We also said that any charge introduced should not exceed £5.
We were very disappointed to learn that a £10 charge for lost cards was introduced on 1st November 2012 http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/freedompass/news/pressdetail.htm?pk=1534
Consultation by Department of Transport on Changes to Blue Badge Eligibility July 2012
We understand there are proposals to introduce a charge for blue badges and Merton CIL have pointed out that disabled people are facing a number of attacks on their benefits with changes to housing benefit including the bedroom tax, cuts in taxi card budgets and other welfare and social care services. We are opposed to the introduction of charges but if they have to be introduced then they should be kept to a minimum. We also think councils should issue reminders for the renewal of the badges upon expiry.
We are still waiting for the outcome of the consultation https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/personal-independence-payment-and-eligibility-for-a-blue-badge
