Clive Robson's letter claiming West Sussex County Council will no longer fund residential care (Opinion, October 14) is a complete misrepresentation of the facts and will only serve to upset our elderly residents for no reason.

Did Mr Robson try to obtain copies of the proposals put out for public consultation in Arun, Worthing, Crawley and Mid Sussex or attend any of the nine public meetings recently held?

Is he aware these plans were drawn up in conjunction with experienced people from the health services, the district and borough councils, voluntary organisations such as Age Concern and after consulting more than 500 elderly people and their carers? Had he heard those proposals had then been approved by an all-party steering group of county councillors?

Is he aware there was an overwhelming demand for more preventative rehabilitation, respite and home care so the elderly people can remain in their own homes for as long as possible?

Is he aware the council currently purchases more than 80 per cent of the residential beds its clients need from the independent

sector?

Has he not heard that where there is not a surplus of residential accommodation we intend to sell our homes to experienced and reputable organisations, as going concerns?

While we must reduce our dependence on residential care and provide more services designed to keep people in their own homes as they wish, there will always be a need for residential care and we will continue to

provide it.

-Councillor Barry Mack, Cabinet Member for Social and Caring Services