Edinburgh parents are upset as council fails to increase holiday hub funding despite rising demand.
They got about £100,000 extra this year. This money only covers hiring managers. It won’t increase hub space or hours.
Councillor Kumar thanked parents who spoke to the council. She felt sorry the Labour councillors dismissed the hubs’ value. She believes this impacts families greatly. These families need respite and a supportive space.
One parent felt unheard by city councillors. They said disabled kids in Edinburgh get overlooked. She questioned why these kids lack equal chances. Parents say hubs are vital but forgotten. The situation became critical.
Another parent stated services still fall short. Hub requests doubled, but funds stay low. There are no plans to assess child needs properly. Some needy kids may miss out on support.
Councillor Watt said that she hears the parents’ concerns. She noted some councillors have relevant experiences. Comments made seemed insulting to them, she added. These councillors care deeply about helpful services for all children. Money this year wouldn’t fairly increase services. They plan to properly assess needs for the future.