Council cuts proposed for Stourbridge day centre

The Unicorn Centre in Stourbridge provides care for people with learning disabilities and complex health needs

A centre for people with severe health problems could see almost £1m cut from its budget over the next two years.

The Unicorn Centre in Amblecote, Stourbridge, provides day care for people with multiple learning disabilities and complex health needs.

Dudley Council is proposing to cut £460,000 of spending to the centre for the next financial year and a further similar amount the following year.

The local authority has predicted a £10.1m overspend in its finances.

The council's budget for the coming year is set to be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Conservative cabinet member Matt Rogers said the savings proposed for the Unicorn Centre were part of the council's wider budget proposals.

"The proposal is to offer people alternative ways of receiving support, based on service users' individual needs," he explained.

"Should these savings be approved, we will work with every individual and their families and/or carers to agree a personalised support plan, based on their identified needs and the outcomes they would like to achieve."

"Questions about the impact"

Mr Rogers could not rule out closure of the centre, but insisted services could be provided elsewhere.

He said he was "confident" the individual needs of service-users could be met through an existing range of services, including in-house adult social care services.

Labour councillor, Judy Foster, added: "We will be concerned about any closures but we need to see the detail."

"We recognise the financial situation the council is in," she added.

"We are asking questions about the impact and will be asking for the views of those who use the services."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.