ANGRY town Tory MP Julie Kirkbride fears Bromsgrove's elderly and disabled are paying for the "disgraceful" cash crisis at County Hall.

Spending on social services by Worcestershire County Council is spiralling out of control and drastic cuts need to be made -- it was revealed at a meeting of the executive committee last week.

If the department, which is responsible for those in need including the disabled and elderly, continues its present pattern of spending it will overspend its budget by £4.6m.

Miss Kirkbride said: "I am receiving many letters from distraught constituents who cannot get their elderly relatives out of hospital and into a nursing home where they would be more comfortable.

"I am also hearing that the old, sick and disabled are being refused home help all because Labour-controlled County Hall cannot get its house in order. It is quite disgraceful."

Director of social services Peter Gilbert, who is currently away on sick leave, could be held accountable for the crisis.

The county's specific issues scrutiny panel met yesterday to examine the problems.

Accountable for decisions

County councillor Peter Pinfield (Lab, Droit.Town), who is responsible for social services, said: "Publicly elected councillors have to be held accountable for decisions which effect the vulnerable in our community.

"But I object when opposition politicians take the opportunity to point score when they have not made any real effort to understand the problems we face and, more importantly, work together to solve them."

The Conservative group has called for an extraordinary meeting of the council to discuss the budget and its implications.