IN the wake of widespread publicity about the issue and a debate last night (Thursday, 17 June) by Thurrock Council's health and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee, the authority's portfolio holder for adult social care, Cll Deb Huelin, has spoken exclusively to Nub News about why she thinks the plans are exciting and innovative - and how the media has got things wrong.

Thurrock Nub News broke the story about planned cuts to services including closing two day care centres in the east and west of the borough - and closing the existing meals on wheels service.

We were tipped off about the planned changes by a whistleblower who released details to ensure concerns about the issues might be full debated.

It appears the leak came across our desk before it had reached that of Cllr Huelin, who was critical of how the media responded to the information - which also highlights cost savings of around half a million pounds.

We have given Cllr Huelin the opportunity to give her full and frank (and unedited) version of events after she attended last night's meeting - which is also reported in full here.

She says: "I am so pleased at how well the adult social care transformation paper was received. I think media coverage to date has done a disservice to this report. It has evoked hatred and arguments and scared people unnecessarily.

"The driving factor of this report is not saving money – it's about improving the quality of life and achieving better outcomes for our most vulnerable residents, and it was great hear the views of cross party scrutiny.

"Giving people more flexibility and control over their own care – giving people continuity of carers, supporting care givers, allowing the care team to make faster decisions with family and care receivers, being able to make much needed changes sooner rather than later. That's what's important. If these better outcomes happen to realise savings then we have the ability to retain other vital services too.

"We are not stopping day care provision, we are looking to improve the quality. Yes for some this means going to a different location but the benefit is a 21st Century offer – a garden - more activities – more friends - more flexibility of sessions to join morning afternoon and evening – yes finally the opportunity to receive respite care after 4pm meaning full time carers can enjoy an evening out with friends that work during the day.

"Kynoch club is the private and personal social club of Kynoch residents. It is not a day care centre and shouldn't be used as one. The residents of Kynoch did not want to share their social club as a day centre, but no one listened to them.

"This has led to stress, frustration, arguments and unhappiness – none of which is conducive to anyone's health and well-being. It's time to start listening to them and give them back their social club. All current and future day care service users can still access day care services, but the service offer they can participate in will be so much better.

"Bell House Ockendon is a high street shop – it has a loading bay not a garden – it looks out on other shops and doesn't get much natural light. Again this is not an acceptable offer in a modern world.

"Again all existing and future users can access day care and minibus services but enjoy a modern offer at Cromwell road. Changes will affect 34 users who have not yet engaged with officers. I have asked officers to contact those residents individually so we can better understand their needs and make informed decisions.

Meals on Wheels – What is more important here … how we do it or making sure vulnerable adults have access to a hot meal?

Meals on Wheels is an iconic name and was a fantastic service run by WRVS but they no longer offer it in Thurrock and haven't done since 2019. Council hasn't let its vulnerable adults go without a nutritional meal for two years. Thurrock Council have, and will continue to ensure they are fed, but we will be doing it differently that's all. 29 residents have said they rely on this service, others have already chosen different methods. We will continue to provide a service to those residents but it will be done in a different way, such as via a local micro enterprise.

"We want to invest in people and better outcomes, not buildings unfit for purpose.

"The paper shared is a briefing paper from officers to council members with some very positive and innovative ways to improve outcomes for residents, and not to make their lives worse. I will stress again no decisions have yet been made regarding the content of this briefing paper.

"The correct process is for officer suggestions to go to a committee made up of councillors from all political parties, so that they can voice opinions, make comments and recommendations to cabinet.

"That process only happened at 7pm on 17th June. Officers then note and work to provide us with any additional information requested. Only then do cabinet discuss the paper and make any decisions. This does not happen until July."