Lead Member: Councillor Ruth Houghton, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health

Lead Officer: Natalie McFall, Interim Director of Adult Social Services (DASS)

RESOLVED

i.           To approve the closure of Helena Lane Older People’s Day Service in Ludlow.

ii.          To delegate authority to the Director of Adult Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health to implement closure through a managed transition, including Care Act assessment and/ or review for individuals and carers to secure alternative arrangements.

iii.        To approve the mitigation and support arrangements set out in this report, including active engagement with current attendees and carers, Care Act assessment and/or review, carers’ assessments where appropriate, person-centred transition planning, support to access suitable alternative provision, and monitoring during and after transition

Cabinet considered the proposal to close the Helena Lane Older People’s Day Service in Ludlow. The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health both emphasised that this was a very difficult and regrettable decision, affecting people who valued and relied upon the service. It was stressed that the decision was one for Cabinet collectively, rather than an individual decision, and that it was being considered in the context of the Council’s severe financial pressures.  The Chair of the Finance and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee confirmed that no concerns about process had been raised during its consideration of the report.

The Portfolio Holder explained that Helena Lane was a valued day service, but that usage had reduced significantly, with five people currently attending across ten visits per week. Members were advised that some current users self-funded their places at a fee significantly below the running cost, and that continuing the service in its current form cost the Council around £150,000 more per year than alternative arrangements. It was emphasised that the proposal was not to close the Helena Lane building, but to close the day service and meet individuals’ needs in different ways following Care Act and carers’ assessments.  The Council did not have a duty to provide a service, but rather influence and shape the market so that needs could be met. 

In response to comments made, the Portfolio Holder reported that the Council had met requirements of the Freedom of Information Act in responding to requests for information and had conducted two equality impact assessments, one at the outset and another taking into account feedback received through the consultation. 

Stakeholders and service users in attendance spoke strongly about the impact of the proposed closure. Concerns were raised that, unlike Aquamira where the service was being relocated, Helena Lane users were being offered closure without an equivalent replacement. A family member stated that the service was essential to his wife and others, challenged the availability and suitability of alternatives, and highlighted wider demand in Ludlow, including people on a waiting list and future need arising from housing growth. Assurances were given that individual Care Act reviews would be undertaken, where personal circumstances were involved, to identify eligible needs and explore appropriate support options.  The Council had a duty to provide a Care Act Assessment and a Carer’s Assessment and people were actively encouraged to take up that offer. 

Further stakeholder representations raised concerns that the service had not been properly promoted, that Helena Lane was purpose-built for day care, and that facilities such as bathing and showering were not available elsewhere on the same basis. It was suggested that the service had been allowed to decline over time through reduced opening days, transport changes, staffing reductions and lack of visibility in service information. Stakeholders questioned whether demand had been properly assessed and whether alternative provision, including Alexandra House and community-based options, would be sufficient or suitable.

Officers clarified that the Council’s statutory duty was to assess eligible needs and arrange for those needs to be met, but not necessarily through a specific building-based day service. They advised that modern support for older people is increasingly personalised, often involving personal assistants, direct payments, domiciliary care or community-based support. Officers stated that the service had not been deliberately run down, but that changes over time had reflected attempts to manage costs and changing patterns of demand. Members were advised that the original model required around 20 attendees per day to be viable, compared with current much lower levels of attendance.  Cabinet also noted that the local social work team was based in Helena Lane and people presenting to them had been aware of the service and its offer but the Council was finding that people wanted more personalised types of support, particularly in accessing their community. 

Members discussed both the human and financial implications of the proposal. A Group Leader questioned whether the decision should be deferred until a petition opposing the closure had been debated at full Council, noting the importance of public engagement and ensuring residents felt heard. It was explained that the petition process was separate from Cabinet’s executive decision-making role, and that the Council needed to make difficult decisions at pace in order to address its financial position. The strength of feeling expressed by stakeholders was acknowledged, including a direct plea from a service user who described Helena Lane as a “lifeline” and asked Cabinet not to close it.

In concluding the debate, the Leader reiterated that no member underestimated the impact of the decision or the distress caused to service users and families. She stated that the Council cared deeply about those affected, but it had to consider the wider financial position and its duties to all residents requiring social care. Cabinet agreed the recommendations to close the Helena Lane day service, with an emphasis on working with affected individuals and carers to undertake assessments and identify appropriate support. The decision was taken with clear regret, acknowledging both the impact of stakeholders and the difficult financial circumstances which had led to the proposal.

RESOLVED

i. approve the closure of Helena Lane Older People’s Day Service in Ludlow.

ii. delegate authority to the Director of Adult Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health to implement closure through a managed transition, including Care Act assessment and/ or review for individuals and carers to secure alternative arrangements.

iii. approve the mitigation and support arrangements set out in this report, including active engagement with current attendees and carers, Care Act assessment and/or review, carers’ assessments where appropriate, person-centred transition planning, support to access suitable alternative provision, and monitoring during and after transition