Hearing On Council-Run Services To Take Place On October 15th

Specialist lawyers representing two disabled adults in a legal challenge related to Salford City Council’s decision to cut vital transport services for vulnerable members of the community have confirmed the case will be heard in court next month.

The judicial review brought by Irwin Mitchell’s Public Law team in relation to the council’s announcement in July that its wheelchair-adapted bus service would be withdrawn from the end of August has now been listed to be held at the High Court in Manchester on October 15th.

As well as being granted permission to proceed with the review, the legal experts have also obtained assurance that an interim transport service would continue to operate for those who need it as the long-term future of the service continues to be debated.

Irwin Mitchell is challenging the decision on the transport cuts on several grounds:

• That council failed to carry out assessments of people’s care needs and how they can be met, with families stating they were not asked if they could provide alternative travel for loved ones.
• That the local authority also failed to put forward sufficient reasons for the decision to ensure the plans were properly considered.
• That the council failed to meet its responsibilities under the terms of section 149 of the Equality Act, specifically as it failed to gather information to assess the potential impact of this decision on disabled people.

Expert Opinion

We are delighted that a date has now been set for the judicial review and that our clients, who will miss out on accessing vital care at day centres if the decision goes ahead, will have their voices heard on this issue.

"We have heard numerous concerns regarding the steps taken by the council as they came to this decision and it is important these are raised and scrutinised in the proper manner.

"The importance of this decision for so many people should not be downplayed and that is why it is vital it gets the attention it deserves. Many of the most vulnerable members of society rely on this transport to access the care services they need to get the best from life and the removal of this service will only serve to deprive them of the support they require.

"We are determined to continue to fight to ensure those affected by this decision are able to access the care they need." Mathieu Culverhouse - Partner

Irwin Mitchell’s Public Law team is acting for Michael Robson, from Swinton, who needs around-the-clock care due to cerebral palsy and epilepsy and attends day centres in Stockport and Salford across the week for his support needs. He uses the transport service to attend the St George’s Day Centre in Salford two days a week.

The team is also representing 41-year-old Jennifer Barrett, from Salford, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. She uses the service to attend the Waterside Resource Centre in Salford four days a week.