CONCERNS have been raised about the disabled and vulnerable people job programme as the Royal Borough decides to terminate its contract with Ways into Work.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council (RBWM) aims to save £166,000 over the next year by ending its partnership with Ways into Work which helps residents with disabilities to return to work.

The contract is due to end April 30 where it will transfer responsibilities to Optalis, a local authority trading; jointly owned by RBWM and Wokingham Borough Council.

Members of the public voiced fears at Tuesday’s full council meeting where questions were raised to councillor Stuart Carroll (Conservative: Boyn Hill), lead member for social services, about this transitional phase where he answered verbally or by written form.

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In a written response to resident Jane Stone of Belmont ward, who asked how many organisations tendered for the contract, councillor Carroll wrote: “Rather than go out to tender, the council has asked its own delivery company, Optalis to provide the service.

“Optalis already has a successful and established supported employment service in operation, in Wokingham, which has been running for more than 18 years.

“Delivering through Optalis is our long-term strategy and all part of our overall plan to deliver better adult social care through enablement, prevention and independence.”

Resident Angela Clark of Cox Green ward asked if cabinet could assure her that Ways into Work will continue be funded for the 169 clients now and going forward.

Councillor Carroll responded: “Ways into Work have multiple funding streams of their own as an organisation.

“In an agreement with ourselves they will retain that number of people and have committed to that as part of the agreement.

“As needed, we will review that on a periodic basis, but that’s an undertaking of Ways into Work has provided to us.

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He also stated that people who are on Ways into Work will continue to support current providers, which is £12,000 per year.

The council is seeking alternative funding to continue this support, including employment benefits, and will be pay any deficit.

The budget for this year’s adult social care will increase by £1.9 million and up to £1.2 million for children services.