IN November 1989, Kenneth Clarke, the then Secretary of State for Health in the Conservative Government, produced a document entitled "Caring for People: Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond". This was to become the basis of legislation surrounding "Care in the Community".

A major aim was to remove people, wherever possible, from institutions and promote life within the community. The report was welcomed and supported in Parliament by all parties.

For older people, there was a welcome recognition of the need to provide new opportunities to remain in their own homes supported by family and friends and with different types of care. Reputable bodies, such as Age Concern and Help the Aged, supported the policy and it was adopted by Bury Council, again with the support of all parties.

The inevitable consequence was to be the decreasing reliance on residential homes, accepting that for some people these would be appropriate, but only by choice. This also reflects the views of most older people.

So what is the reality in Bury? Are elderly people being put out on the street? Emphatically no! But money which should be spent on extra day care, better sheltered accommodation, a wider range of home services, respite for carers etc, is being used to support too many residential places completely against the spirit of "community care" and against the agreed policy of Bury Council!.

At the same time, the Social Services Inspectorate and the Audit Commission criticise Bury for its continued failure to change especially with regard to the provision of services to older people.

Now, with a surplus of residential places, the Labour councillors are moving to implement "Care in the Community" as intended by Parliament and the council. This would satisfy the Audit Commission, the Social Services Inspectorate and most older people, and deliver agreed council policy.

Isn't it strange, therefore, to hear them being accused of being uncaring when the opposite is clearly true. Surely they would be more uncaring and more worthy of censure if they didn't act, now that a clear opportunity has arisen.

So why are Liberal Democrats and Conservatives attacking them?

I believe it to be the most appalling form of cheap, uncaring politics by petty, mean-minded opportunists. Unfortunately, they are also supported by a vociferous minority who have made it clear that their own political leanings outweigh rational discussion.

COUN JOHN BYRNE,

(leader of the council).