'I wouldn't be in this house without it'

Users of a home improvement service have called for it to be spared from proposed cuts by Cornwall Council.

The authority said it wanted to stop its handyperson service, which provides affordable amendments and installations in elderly and disabled people's homes.

Opponents argued it was a reliable service, with some of the work it offered unavailable from the private sector.

The council insisted it could no longer afford to keep the loss-making service given it needed to save about £50m in the coming year.

Claire Tregaskis, from Wadebridge, has cerebral palsy and used the handyperson service to have handrails put in her home so she could move around more easily.

She explained: "That kind of thing proved really, really hard to get done. I spoke to the handyperson and they've just been brilliant.

"There were a few jobs I tried to get done privately but they wouldn't turn out because it wasn't big enough. A few times when they did come, they didn't do the job properly."

She said it had been a lifeline and allowed her to stay living independently: "Without question, I wouldn't be in this house without it."

Leigh Frost, leader of the council's Liberal Democrat group, said he believed the service should be retained.

He said: "The people that use it are the over-60s, those who have disabilities and the most vulnerable. Whilst it is not a statutory service, we have a duty to support those residents.

"The service is making losses, but the reality is many people don't know about it. So, actually promote it and then make it more viable."

Olly Monk, council portfolio holder for housing and planning, insisted the authority could no longer afford to provide the handyperson service.

He said: "Cornwall Council at the moment is under extreme budgetary pressures. So, we're having to look at all options to look at things that achieve best value for money.

"We found quite a lot of people who have been using the service are quite affluent.

"Cornwall Council simply hasn't got the luxury of being able to have a service which loses nearly £190,000 a year."

The council's cabinet is due to agree to its budget at a meeting on Wednesday ahead of it being voted on by all members later this month.

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