EDITOR'S CHOICE LOCAL NEWS Call to back justice awards Car park plan may not be worth cost OTHER SPORT Join bowls players at the gardens GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Hit and run driver sought 2 'Arrowhead' found on beach 3 Hollins refuses to play waiting game 4 Car park plan may not be worth cost 5 ‘Fostering’ needed for academy players 6 Insolvency rates high in borough 7 Harleys on way to coast for weekend 8 Webb capture 9 Join bowls players at the gardens 10 Beauty spots under threat from housing Today | 7 Days 1 Making waves to test impact of new marina 2 Social tenants facing eviction 3 'Seedy and sedate' resort in new guide 4 Boy, 7, mauled in dog attack 5 Digital switchover just a year away 6 Police to investigate over election bust-up 7 New fears for Lyme landslip 8 Re-election proves important issues do not go away 9 Beauty spots under threat from housing 10 Survey praises hospital’s care

Comment

SENIOR citizens attending Dorset Adult Learning courses have recently been sent a letter by the service saying that their current feeconcession will end as such a concession is in breach of the EmploymentEquality (Age) Regulations 2006.

In a further letter the it was explained that it 'is not afee-generating or cost cutting exercise but rather necessary actions toensure compliance with the law'.

Apparently it is quite in order for the adult learning centre to run acourse entitled 'Exercise for Over 60s' but not lawful for them to grant afee concession to those aged 65 or over.

Surely the Act was not written to prevent councils from granting concessions to senior citizens on exercise classes.

Removal of the current concession would lead to a fee increase of at least 43 per cent.There appears to be a lack of joined up thinking.

While health authorities are encouraging older people to remain active and take up learning opportunities, they will be discouraged from doing this if there is a large fee increase above the rate of inflation.

Mark Kemmis Betty, Upwey.

6:15pm Friday 9th May 2008

Print

Email this

Comment