A motion was recently tabled by Labour councillor Sandra Peake to cease the closure of Day Care Centres in Bolsover District.
Sandra has been campaigning for a while to stop the closures and tabled the motion at a recent Bolsover District Council meeting where all those present unanimously supported it.
Sandra explained that the conservative controlled Derbyshire County Council (DCC) were consulting on closing the Day Care Centres across the county including those in Shirebrook, Whitwell and Bolsover.
This is on the back of the closures of the two elderly care homes at Clune Street in Clowne and Holmlea in Tibshelf.
The motion read: That Bolsover District Council fully supports the retention of Adult Social Care Day Centres in Bolsover District for the benefit of our most vulnerable residents, their carers and families and that the Leader of Bolsover District Council write to the Leader of Derbyshire County Council and the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care for confirmation that the Day Centres at Shirebrook, Whitwell and Bolsover will remain open for service users and the most vulnerable in our communities.
The three conservative councillors were conspicuous by their absence, especially as one of them is the Cabinet Member responsible for Adult Care at Derbyshire County Council.
Sandra said, “Adult Care is a key part of the services desperately needed in Bolsover District. There are many residents and families who rely on Day Centres which provide a much needed service for the most vulnerable adults in our communities.
“Many residents and families rely on Day Centres, to provide care, personal care and activities in a safe and secure environment where vulnerable residents can attend, and make friendships and access help. If these day centres were to close it would have a negative effect on the outcomes for the vulnerable service users and carers and the wider family, leading to care and mental health issues and ultimately putting many of those families in crisis.”
Several councillors (from both Labour and Independents) stood up in the meeting to voice their concerns about DCC and apparent lack of transparency and poor service delivery.
DCC will be debating the closure of Adult Care Centres at a meeting in the near future.