Final attempt to save disabled adults centre fails

A last ditch attempt to save a day centre for adults with disabilities has been unsuccessful.

On 17 September it was announced that Wellington House in Brighton which offers care to 21 people, would be shut to save £336,000 a year.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, an attempt to have the closure decision called in by opposition councillors at Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) was unsuccessful.

The Greens and Conservatives told the BHCC overview and scrutiny committee on Tuesday afternoon that there was insufficient evidence for the cabinet to make its decision, alongside a lack of stakeholder consultation.

Green councillor Ellen McLeay and Conservative leader Alistair McNair both detailed concerns over an alleged lack of consultation with the head teachers of special schools on the projected future number of young people who may need day services.

McLeay said: "Steve Hook (director of adult social care) accepted that additional evidence would and should be gathered from special schools.

"Yet cabinet proceeded before that exercise took place."

She also claimed that the forecast annual saving of £336,000 could be outweighed by a breakdown in placements, which she suggested may cost the council £250,000 a year for each individual.

The committee vote was split with four votes in either direction.

Committee chair and Labour councillor Sam Parrott had the decisive vote, and chose to back the decision made by cabinet.

No date for closure has been set, with the centre set to remain open until every user has been transitioned to an alternative service.

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