CAMPAIGNERS have been inspired to petition for a three per cent increase in council tax thanks to “staggering demands” on social care.

The Enfield Over 50s Forum will meet with Enfield Council Leader Doug Taylor to discuss how stretched services can be saved in the coming year.

The government is proposing £1.7million to be provided to fund adult social care in Enfield, but the group believes at least another £4million is needed to meet current demands.

Forum leader Monty Meth said: “Spending on temporary accommodation is only going to get worse.

“These burdens are placed on the council due to cuts on services that we have taken for granted.”

“The crisis has been building up for years as far as successive governments go.

“It is not just about one government. They do not seem to get a grip on what is taking place in the council now.”

The group believe that extra money will ease the pressure on issues such as minimum wage for carers and the increased use of the health service by the elderly in winter.

Campaigners also hope the extra money will bring awareness to issues the pressures on social care and the housing shortage in the area.

But the authority cannot raise council tax above three per cent without putting it out to consultation.

Enfield Council has been forced to make savings of £118million between 2010 and 2015, and the authority is facing a further £56 million of cuts by 2020.

Currently, Enfield gets £496.10 per head in government cash, while Westminster gets £917.59, and Hammersmith and Fulham receives £900.

The forum’s Fairer Funding for Enfield petition has garnered more than 6,000 signatures – but Mr Meth says any change in policy before the 2020 general election seems unlikely.

Forum leader Monty Meth says: “We feel that the people in Enfield have been suffering from under-funding for so long, we want to see the government tackle this crisis.

“It is only going to get worse as a lot of people live longer with difficult health conditions.”

According to londonspovertyprofile.org.uk 66 per cent of households in Enfield living in the private sector are claiming Housing Benefit to help pay their rent.

This is over double the capital’s rate at 28 per cent, this is the hardest hit London borough, as more families facing eviction and the prospect of moving into council-provided temporary accommodation.

This is the highest number of households in any London borough and over double the capital’s rate which stands at 28 per cent.

For more information visit www.change.org and search Fairer Funding or call 020 8807 2076.