Byfleet: Residents petition to save elderly services from relocation

The day centre was opened by Princess Diana in 1986

Residents are calling on a Surrey council to reject plans to move services at a centre opened by Princess Diana in 1986.

A petition was submitted to Woking Borough Council (WBC) to save the St Mary's Community Day Centre services, in West Byfleet, from relocation.

Councillor Amanda Boote said "everyone in the village is up in arms" about the threat to withdraw the services.

The WBC leader said the reduction in services was necessary.

She said the council needed to make decisions in order to continue providing essential services.

The effectively bankrupt council is making £8.4m worth of budget cuts to help balance its books.

If moved, the services, which include a weekly activity programme and hot lunch time meals, would be relocated to Hale End Court, on the other side of the borough.

'Much loved'

The day centre, opened by Princess Diana in 1986, provides support for local elderly and vulnerable people.

Miss Boote said the day services at the centre were "much loved" in the community.

The petition to Working Borough Council to save the service from relocation has been signed by 425 people in person and a further 2,756 online.

According to Local Democracy Reporting Service, this is the equivalent to 40% of the town's population.

Ms Barker said: "I know residents will find any reduction in services difficult at this time. These are decisions I did not want to make."

She added any reduction in services would be "supporting the delivery of a balanced budget in March".

The future of the centre's services is set to be debated at the next full council meeting in March.