Day Centre to Close

2.23.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th Jun 2004

Tory Cuts mean the Rachel Notley Day Centre is set to close

Age Concern's Rachel Notley Day Centre in Beckenham is to close following cuts made by Bromley Council. Mrs Rachel Notley told a packed Council meeting "This is a very sad day for me, in my ninetieth year." The Centre, named in acknowledgement of her work on behalf of Age Concern in Beckenham, has been a well used facility for nearly forty years it currently provides Day Care to 80 people.

The elderly users will be expected to attend centres in central Bromley or Penge, although concern was expressed at the meeting about transport arrangements.

Chris Friend, Chair of Beckenham Age Concern said "Some elderly and frail people can be on the mini bus for an hour and quarter, this will lengthen their journey. Once they've arrived, it will be time to go home."

The Council's Social Care portfolio holder, Cllr Phillips, is reducing the number of Day Centre places that the Council funds and he believes greater savings can be made by reducing the number of Day Centres in the Borough from five to four.

Cllr. Denise Payton spoke out against the closure

Cllr Denise Payton, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Clockhouse ward, said "Once again the Council are ignoring the views of the community. This is a popular and well used Centre, tonight they have received a petition of more than 2,700 signatures against closure but these concerns has been ignored."

Although the Rachel Notley Centre is the smallest Day Centre in the Borough, it is oversubscribed. Cllr Jane Connor also from Clockhouse, said " I am very concern that some frail users who enjoy the friendly atmosphere at this Centre will be overawed by the much larger Centres that they are being directed to."

The cut in the number of Day Centre places across Bromley is the result of tenders being £129,000 more than the budgeted figure. Several Councillors and members of the public expressed the view that resources should be found to make this shortfall.

The decision by Cllr Phillips will leave West Wickham and Beckenham areas with a high number of older residents with few facilities to meet the increasing need in the north west of the borough.

Chris Maines called the decision "short sighted"

Cllr Chris Maines, who spoke at the meeting said "It is short sighted not to fund these places. Many frail people unable to access the Day Centres will become housebound and in need of greater support. Day Centres are some people's only opportunity to socialise, have a meal cooked for them and access a variety of services such as hairdressing, chiropody. The sort of things that enhance the quality of life for some of our elderly citizens."