Day centre clarity call

There are calls for the Reform UK group that runs Lancashire County Council to commit to keeping open five day centres for the elderly – after making the same pledge regarding some of the authority’s care homes.

A total of 10 facilities were placed under review by County Hall in October last year because of the “significantly poor condition” of the buildings from which they operate.

A final decision on the future of the services was not expected until the spring – but on Wednesday (21st January), the party said it would be investing in the five care homes, ensuring their “stability…for the years to come”.

However, no mention was made of the day centres, three of which are co-located with care homes that now appear to have been secured.

Asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) whether the investment plan extended to the daycare premises, a Reform source said the announcement had been made specifically in relation to the care homes in order to end the uncertainty for residents, families and staff, resulting from what the party claimed had been “scaremongering” during a public consultation carried out late last year.

That suggests that users of the day centres will have to wait until the formal process of concluding the review and voting a specific proposal through cabinet – as is still required for all 10 facilities – is completed before they learn of the fate of the facilities they attend.

It means a question mark continues to hang over the Milbanke day centre (Kirkham, attached to the care home of the same name), Vale View (Lancaster), Derby Centre (Ormskirk), Byron View (Colne, attached to Favordale care home) and Teal House, (Thornton Cleveleys, attached to the Thornton House care home).

The latter two day centres have been shut since the onset of the pandemic – for what was intended to be a temporary period.   Although they never reopened, they have not officially been closed down and their permanent status is to be determined by the current review.

Two MPs have now called for clarity over the day centres in their areas.

Andrew Snowden, the Conservative MP for Fylde – in whose constituency the Milbanke care home and day centre stand – told the LDRS:  “Whilst it is welcome that Reform at Lancashire County Council have listened to local voices and campaigners on the care home sites, it is deeply worrying that they are being opaque when questioned about the equally valuable day centres.

“They need to come forward and explain their position in black and white, rather than giving evasive responses to questions about the day centres specifically.”

Meanwhile, Lancaster’s Labour MP, Cat Smith, said she had written to the county council to “seek some certainty” that the authority “will be keeping Vale View Day Centre open and investing in the building”.

James Rupa, regional organiser for the union UNISON – which led a rally in Preston on Saturday, during which it threatened strike action amongst care staff if any of the threatened facilities closed – called on the county council to “do the right thing and safeguard the future of the five days centres” as well as the care homes

Last year’s public consultation related to both the homes and daycare services.

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said after the Reform group had announced its investment plans for the care homes:  “We went out to consult on the future of our care homes, because we wanted to hear directly from residents, families and our workforce about what matters most to them. The council has not made any decision at this stage.

“Now that the consultation has closed, officers are analysing all the feedback and preparing a full report for cabinet in spring, where councillors will review the findings before making any formal decisions.

“Under the legal requirements of our consultation process, no formal decision can be taken until the consultation has concluded, the findings have been fully analysed, and a detailed report has been presented to cabinet for consideration.

“It is imperative that we follow the correct legal and democratic procedures and take the time to ensure residents’ voices are fully taken into account. Until that process is complete, no decision can be made by the council.

“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views during the consultation. We understand how worrying and unsettling this process has felt for many people, but rest assured that your feedback is essential and will play a meaningful role in shaping the recommendations.”