AN ARTS programme for more than 1,000 frail elderly people has been targeted by Hampshire council chiefs looking for spending cuts.

The county council is considering pulling the plug on Activehearts, a project taking music, arts and crafts to 32 council-run residential care and nursing homes.

The scheme costs £117,500 a year to run and reaches about 1,500 frail pensioners, including dementia sufferers.

Steven Pugh, arts events officer, has written to Andrew Smith, chief executive of the county council, urging him to reconsider the proposed cut as managers look at ways to reduce their budgets next year.

In the letter, copied to all county councillors, he wrote: “On behalf of all the residents, relatives, activity and care staff, I am respectfully suggesting that this decision is given more thought and that other options are at least considered before this vital frontline service is cut.”

Mr Pugh said that many care home residents have dementia and are unable to go to theatres, arts and community centres. He pointed out that Activehearts helped them to stay active and involved.

Last year, Activehearts delivered 832 performances and workshops, including reminiscence sessions.

Staff also provide training for care home staff, including private residential homes, in arts activities to stimulate dementia sufferers.

Councillor Alan Dowden, Liberal Democrat opposition spokesman for adult social care, said he was shocked by the proposed cut.

He said: “Council leader Cllr Ken Thornber is on record as saying that he will protect adult social care services.

“Why not take £117,500 from councillors’ allowances? The executive members and the leader are the best-paid so they could take the biggest cut. Why should vulnerable elderly people pay?”

The council paid its 78 councillors £1.3million in allowances and expenses last year.

Chris Perry, chief executive of Age Concern Hampshire, also voiced his concern about the threat to Activehearts.

Mr Perry said: “Obviously, it is going to adversely affect a lot of old people. We don’t want to get into a situation of just warehousing old people in homes, but want to ensure they have a quality of life with stimulation and activities. Activehearts does just that.”

Hampshire County Council leader Cllr Ken Thornber said: “As with all of Hampshire County Council’s expenditure, the Activehearts scheme is being reviewed to meet a reduction in Government funding, exceeding 28 per cent over the next four years.

“Until the secretary of state announces our grant allocation, which is expected in December, no final decision about changes to any of our services will be made. No option can be ruled in or out at this stage.”