AXING free transport for people with learning disabilities would be “cruel and callous,” says a senior councillor.
The proposal is part of a massive programme of cuts by Flintshire Council, which would save £2.6 million over the next three years.
But Cllr Aaron Shotton, leader of the Labour group in Flintshire, says it is a cold move which can be avoided.
A list of proposed savings were presented to members of the social and health care scrutiny committee yesterday.
Cllr Shotton told the meeting: “Libraries could close, leisure centres could close and now I’m hearing that free transport for these vulnerable people is being taken away.
“I’m totally opposed to this. It will be one of the most unpopular elements of this budget.
“This is a real cruel and callous cut. People will suffer as a result of this.”
Connah’s Quay councillor David Barratt added: “I know from past experience how important to people this free transport is.
“Elderly people go home and see nobody until their taxi driver picks them up the following day.
“They really need this service.”
Social service bosses revealed it costs £1.2 million a year to transport adults with learning disabilities to day centres.
Scrapping free transport for them will save £469,000 next year and £1.8 million in the subsequent two years.
Maureen Mullaney, head of social services for adults, said the department had faced “difficult” decisions, but cuts had to “come from somewhere.”
She said: “It has been a real challenge to come up with a chunk of savings for the service. We have to change and refocus the service and with refocus comes restructure.
“If we stay the way we are then we will not be fit for the future. We will always do it sensitively with the service users and their family at the heart of our decisions.”
Colin Everett, chief executive at Flintshire Council, added: “We are out of kilter with how social care has moved and how North Wales has moved. We can’t maintain it for the future the way it is.”
Cllr Carol Ellis, executive member for social services, said it was an “emotive” issue and asked members to think of alternatives to the proposals.
Final budget proposals will come before full council on March 1.