Decision details

The Service Director, Adult Services presented Members with his report which provided Members with the detail of the consultation outcome in respect of the proposal to close St. George’s Day Centre in Tonyrefail and transfer open access day services to Gilfach Goch Day Centre.

Members were referred to Appendix 1 of the report which presented Members with the responses following the consultation which ran for an 8 week period from the 9^th February to the 6^th April, 2018.  The Service Director highlighted aspects from the consultation, advising of the low turnout of responses with, only 18 people engaging directly in the consultation process, 16 of which were current users of St. George’s Day Centre. Of the responses, 12 of the 16 said they would stop attending the service if the proposal was taken forward, listing issues in respect of transport issues and potential increased cost to service users.  In light of the feedback the Service Director confirmed that if Members were mindful to take forward the proposal continued engagement would be taken forward to try  to address concerns regarding users ability to access the Gilfach  Goch Day Centre due to being unable to drive or unreliable public transport provision.  Continued engagement would also take place with relevant individuals to support them to explore the options available to them that will meet their needs.

At this point in the meeting, the Deputy Leader called upon the two local Members, County Borough Councillor A Davies-Jones and D Grehan to speak on the item.

The Deputy Leader commented on the poor consultation response and commented that the proposal was not about money but an opportunity to enhance the provision available for the service users.  The Deputy Leader added that the relevant Cabinet Member and the Director would continue to work with service users to ensure the provision met their needs and requirements.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Community Services & Welsh Language commetned on the proposal’s  feedback and the constructive comments from the two local Members.  He took the opporutnity to acknowledge the vast improvements the Gilfach Goch Building would offer in comparision to the dilapated buidling of St George’s Day Centre and confirmed his commitment to continue to work with service users to ensure the new faciltites would benefit current service users.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the responses to the public consultation exercise undertaken in respect of the closure of St. George’s Day Centre in Tonyrefail and transfer open access day services to Gilfach Goch Day Centre.

2.    That following consideration of the outcomes of the consultation exercise undertaken and other matters outlined in the report and its appendix, to close St George’s Day Centre in Tonyrefail and transfer the open access day services to Gilfach Goch Day Centre in line with the transfer of the current kitchen facilities.

(N.B. At the conclusion of this item, County Borough Councillor A Morgan was in attendance and took over the Chairing of the meeting.)

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