Pledge to fight disabled unit closure

PLANS to close a facility for disabled adults in Wetherby are being opposed by local councillors.

Leeds Council has drawn up plans to close three centres, in Horsforth, Wetherby and West Ardsley. Replacement services will be provided in existing community buildings.

Wetherby councillor Alan Lamb said the closure plan was a “real body blow to some of the most vulnerable people”.

Fellow councillor John Procter said: “This is now the third time that proposals to shut Wetherby Day Centre have been put forward.

“Every time this idea has been mooted we have knocked them back. This time will be no different.”

The council says the closure plans are part of an overall modernisation of day services to deliver a more “personalised” service, said a spokeswoman.

“Leeds is unusual in that it currently provides building-based day services to people who live in staffed accommodation.

“The national norm is that people living in 24-hour staffed accommodation receive day time support from their home.

“The proposals will maintain the current arrangement of up to five days each week within day services for learning disabled adults who live at home with family carers.

“Those living in staffed accommodation will be supported to spend more of their day accessing their local community from where they live rather than attending a segregated day centre.

“However, they will still be able to attend a day service for up to two days a week if they wish, which will enable them to maintain their friendship groups.”

The strategy was approved in January last year and has already seen the closure of Moor End day centre in south Leeds.

Adults now go to three smaller bases in the area.