Adult day centre closure could be 'catastrophic'

1 day ago

Joe WillisLocal Democracy Reporting Service

Keane Duncan (centre) is supporting those opposing the planned closure

LDRS Cllr Keane Duncan is pictured standing in the centre of four other people. Three are holding signs saying 'Protect local services', 'Save Cauwood', and 'Keep our daycare'. Keane has brown hair and is wearing a navy blue shirt and dark trousers. Parent Caroline Garrod is to his right, with dark hair and wearing a light blue shirt with a navy jacket and dark trousers. Three other parents are in the photo, one a woman with short dark hair and glasses wearing a turquoise jacket and jeans, one a grey haired man wearing a bright blue jumper and jeans, and the final one a grey haired man wearing sunglasses, a navy blue jumper and dark trousers. They're standing in front of a brick building, with grass and a couple of trees behind them. There is also a white car to the left of the image. — Keane Duncan (centre) is supporting those opposing the planned closure

The proposed closure of a day centre for adults with special needs to make way for a new housing scheme could be "catastrophic" for service users, councillors have been warned.

Cauwood Day Service, in Old Malton Road, Malton, provides services for adults with high or complex needs, including autism and learning disabilities.

North Yorkshire Council officers have recommended shutting the site, with its services offered elsewhere in Ryedale, to develop an extra care scheme.

Councillors and relatives of those using the facility have written to the council opposing the closure, describing it as an "important" local service.

A report for councillors states the centre currently supports seven people and notes there has been limited demand for the service over the past five years, with only two new people using the service since 2020.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, officers said the property was outdated, in an isolated location, has high maintenance costs and staffing issues.

The report concludes: "The current operational position at Cauwood Day Service indicates that it is not sustainable to continue to deliver services from the site in the medium-long term.

"It is, therefore, recommended that Cauwood Day Service ceases to deliver services from Autumn 2026, enabling investment in alternative community-based solutions for people."

The proposed closure has raised concerns in the local community.

A cross-party group of local politicians have written to council leader Carl Les and chief executive Richard Flinton to highlight the worries, with the letter initiated by Norton division member Keane Duncan.

It states: "The fact that representatives from across the political spectrum are united in writing this letter underlines the strength of feeling about the importance of this service and the concerns surrounding the current proposal."

Parent Caroline Garrod, from Helperthorpe, has also written to Les raising concerns about the proposed closure.

She said: "They are assuming that they can just push them out into community-based provision."

"This decision could prove catastrophic for the people who use the centre."

Les confirmed that the executive would discuss the report at a meeting on Tuesday.

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