News that a number of day centres, that were under threat of immediate closure, are set to remain open has been cautiously welcomed by Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George.
Mr George, who has been visiting day centres in Llanidloes, Machynlleth (Monday 19th December) and Newtown (Tuesday 20th December) this week, had urged the Council to think again.
In his response to the formal consultation, Mr George had argued that the daycentres provide hugely important services which should be maintained, and that a full assessment on the consequences of day centre closures on other health services in Powys should be carried out first.
The Council's cabinet today (20th December 2016) resolved to keep all daycentres open until a full review has been undertaken. Extra money will now be made available in 2017/18 to allow day centre activity to continue in existing localities while an early intervention service is trialed and evaluated.
Whist this work takes place, the council is expected to continue to talk to town and community councils who have shown an interest in partnership arrangements for funding or management of day services.
Where additional funding or arrangements are not forthcoming then day centreswill reduce in the number of days / hours it will operate, and if a workable solution is not found for a particular day centre by March 2018, the expectation is that the Day Centre in question would close by March 2019. Funding currently allocated to third sector provision of day services will be maintained, albeit with some reduction, up to March 2019.
Mr George said:
"I welcome the stay of execution which Day Centres have been given by the announcement (today) from the County Council's Cabinet. I'm pleased that the local authority has listened to concerns put forward by thousands of people during the consultation period.
"While we're not out of the woods quite yet, at least the announcement will give town and community councils and other potential partners an opportunity to assess whether they are able to come up with a workable solution which will safeguard our day centres for our older population, many of whom rely on the services provided.
"Day Centres provide essential support and activities for some of the most vulnerable and elderly people in our community. The services which are provided combat loneliness, promote healthy and active lifestyles and prolong independent living.
"The Centres also provide much-needed respite for family members; prevents people from needing further support from residential care homes; being admitted into hospital; or attending a GP practice, so the knock-on benefits which day centres have on the whole health and social care system should not be underestimated.
"Nobody disputes the fact that efficiency savings need to be found to meet the challenge of the Welsh Government's yearly assault on Powys County Council's budget.
"However, robbing Peter to pay Paul is not a long term way of running local public services and the immediate closure of these Day Centres would have heaped unprecedented pressure on GP practices and other health services.
" I was delighted that Powys County Council cabinet came to this decision which will provide a further opportunity for the vital services provided by our Day Centres to be safeguarded in association with other local government and third sector partners."