Council votes for Derbyshire day care centre closure consultation

Councillor Natalie Hoy said service users were telling the council they did not want a permanent base

Plans to shut adult day care centres for people who are autistic or have learning disabilities are being considered by a council.

Cabinet members on Derbyshire County Council voted to move forward with a 12-week consultation on the plans.

It is also proposing to close up to four centres used for short breaks across the county.

Natalie Hoy, cabinet member for adult care, told the BBC: "[People] want... to be out in the community."

Alfreton's Parkwood Centre requires major repairs, the council says

The council previously closed another eight centres in 2022.

The remaining four day centres under review are Alderbook in Chinley, the Parkwood Centre in Alfreton, No Limits in Chesterfield and Outlook in Long Eaton - saving £2.2m over three years.

It said the Parkwood Centre site had a £1.7m repair bill, and only nine people were currently supported at Alderbrook.

The council also said its recently expanded team of "Community Connectors" would continue to support people by finding them opportunities to socialise and explore their interests in the area where they live.

Ms Hoy said the work done by the community connectors team had been "received very positively" by people who use the services.

'Budget savings'

"What we're finding is when people are transitioning to adult services, they no longer want a permanent day centre as part of the provision - they want the same opportunities as everybody else, which is to be out in the community," she said.

"We're not looking to close all of the centres - we understand that people with more complex needs need some building-based support.

"It does save the council money. We've been very honest about the budget savings, but this also transforms people's lives."

The proposed consultation will also detail plans to close up to four of its short break centres in Long Eaton, Brimington, Swadlincote and Glossop.

However, Alfreton's Morewood Centre would be retained.