Oxfordshire County Council approves cuts to day care centres

Currently the council runs 22 centres for older people and those with learning disabilities

Plans to stop funding for all but eight of Oxfordshire County Council's day care centres have been approved.

The authority currently runs 22 centres for older people and those with learning disabilities.

The change will help save more than £3m and the council is confident the new services will provide "tailored support" to meet people's needs.

Protests against the cuts have been held outside Oxford's County Hall by those urging the council to reconsider.

More than 1,000 people took part in a consultation about the changes, which are due to begin in August.

The services support adults with physical disabilities, older frail adults, and people with dementia, mental health problems and learning disabilities.

Should the council approve the plans there will be centres in Oxford, Banbury, Didcot, Witney, Bicester, Wantage, Abingdon and Wallingford.

'Wrong decision'

A report to the cabinet, which approved the plans, said: "Everyone who needs this support will receive it, irrespective of where in the county they live - this includes people living in more isolated, rural areas."

Three-quarters of all community-based services do not receive funding from the county council and will not be affected.

The council will also invest an extra £875,000 to help charities and groups as the services and funding changes.

But 84-year-old Ted Cooper, who uses the Elm Centre in Witney, said there is concern about the changes.

"We're disappointed, we were expecting it, but we were hoping. I think it's the wrong decision, it's governed by finances I think, it's more politics than people," he said.

Rachael Scott-Hunter, who has an adult daughter with a learning disability, handed in a petition with 761 signatures against what she described as "appalling" changes.

The plan is still subject to councillors voting to approve the budget next month.