Outcry at budget threat to centre

AN army of battling Roytoners has attacked proposals to close a centre for older people.

Protests have been mounting rapidly since the council announced that the Highbarn Day Centre could fall victim to the swingeing cuts needed to plug its £17.3m budget deficit.

Scores of people have since written to the Chronicle to express their disgust at the decision to consider axing the centre, which provides front-line services for people with moderate to severe dementia.

One resident said: “To put it mildly, it’s disgusting to close such a top performing centre.”

A care manager at the community dementia team added: “To close this centre would have a devastating impact on the community.”

Feelings are now running so high that a consultation exercise with service users has now been extended and will run into January, with a final decision set to be made by the council in March.

Another reader said: “We need to fight against the big-wigs who want to save money by closing essential services but are still paying extortionate wages to staff who don’t need it.

Councillor Steve Bashforth said: “This centre benefits people across the whole borough, not just in Royton, and £2m was spent on the centre just two years ago, to bring it up to standard.

The centre helps people with care needs to stay in their own homes for as long as possible by helping them to maintain daily living skills and generally improving their quality of life.

Thirty people currently use the centre, with many travelling from other parts of the borough.

Councillor Brian Lord, cabinet member for adult services and health, said: “The closure of Highbarn Day Centre is being considered as a budget saving option.

“However, we must stress that this is still only an option at this point and no decision to close Highbarn has been made.”