Families have spoken of their relief after alternative premises were revealed to replace a day care centre for adults which is to shut.
Senior councillors today (Tue 4th Aug) approved the closure of the Cauwood Day Service in Old Malton Road, Malton, to allow an extra care housing scheme to be built on the site.
Members of North Yorkshire Council’s executive took the decision after being told that the service would be maintained and enhanced, with services moving to the site of a former day centre in Whitby Road, Pickering.
The council also aims to run a hub in Malton, as well as offer services in the community to meet the individual needs of users.
Families have had assurances that the existing Cauwood building will remain open until new facilities are launched, the Cauwood name will be kept and current staff will transfer to the new service.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult Services, Councillor Michael Harrison, told the committee: “This is about transforming a service for better outcomes for the disabled adults we care for — it’s not about individual buildings.
“I’m very confident that when we have fully transformed this service and fully transitioned the adults who use this service, we will have both a sustainable service that fully meets the needs of those who depend on us, both now and in the future.”
Cauwood users had raised major concerns about the closure of the centre.
But speaking after the decision, they spoke of their relief that they had been listened to.
Caroline Garrod, whose daughter Natasha attends Cauwood, said:“We are now relieved that an alternative building has been found and that North Yorkshire Council has confirmed where the new building is located.”
Stuart Moss, whose son Matty attends Cauwood, said:“After months of stress, anxiety and many, many sleepless nights, we have finally been given some positive news. The location of the new building has been confirmed to us and we are relieved.
“To see a smile on Matty’s face and hear his excited reaction was very overwhelming.”
Councillor Keane Duncan, who represents the Norton division and launched a petition to protect the service, welcomed the decision by the executive.
He said: “Today’s decision means a new Cauwood will open, its name will continue, its dedicated staff will transfer and services will remain available locally.”
Councillor Steve Mason, who represents the Amotherby and Ampleforth division and was also involved in the petition, described the decision over the closure as a “test-case for the county”.
He added: “It needed to be right and it needed cross-party support.”
Ahead of the executive meeting, members of the council’s care and independence overview and scrutiny committee met to examine the planned closure.
Councillor Lindsay Burr, member for Malton, urged the executive to agree to the request of the scrutiny committee to be given regular updates on the changes and a motion from last week’s Thirsk and Malton area committee calling for the council to keep the existing Cauwood building open until the alternative site had the support of service users and their families.
She added: “As an executive, you need to be compassionate and think about parents and users and always put them first.”
The committee agreed that it would provide regular updates to the scrutiny committee.