20% increase in alarm systems for vulnerable people proposed by Brentwood Conservatives

Lib Dem councillors were left shocked at a meeting last night to see the Conservative administration propose a 20% increase for community safety alarms. The systems, that allow the elderly, vulnerable, disabled and ill to call for help via a button on a cord will now have to stump up extra cash to pay for this lifeline.

It's something many of those affected can ill afford, especially when those reliant on a pension or Universal Credit.

Cllr David Kendall raised our concerns at this draconian move and said:

"This is totally unreasonable, has no justification and will hit those residents that need the council's help the most."

The same applies to bogus caller alarms and smoke detectors.

The Tories voted this through and it will go to the budget setting meeting with a recommendation to approve it.