Shropshire Council rejects fears Whitchurch day centre could close

Shropshire Council today dismissed fears that the long-term future of the Bradbury Day Centre in Whitchurch is in doubt.

Concerns were raised after Shropshire Councillor Gerald Dakin told a meeting of the Whitchurch, Wem and District Senior Citizens Forum (WWDSCF) that, although he felt the future of the centre was secure in the short term, it could still close.

Use of the £1.5 million centre was scaled back in 2010 and it is now closed at weekends and bank holidays. The WWDSCF uses the centre each Sunday for a lunch and fun day for vulnerable older people.

John Dodson, vice chairman of the WWDSCF, said: "It is accepted that the current economic situation has created a serious uncertainty about the future of day centres, which in turn is causing serious concern about the future security of use of the Bradbury Day Centre facilities and bus.

"Our district forum wants a commitment to provide security of use of the day centre facilities and bus, initially for the next three years. District forum volunteers have honoured their commitment for the last eight years and continue to make a success of what is offered to the elderly.

"They shouldn't even be considering closing it. It would be a tragedy if it closed.

"I think it is important we put our point of view across and make people realise how important it is."

He added: "Over four years ago an outline agreement was reached with Shropshire Council to create a close working relationship between the Bradbury Day Centre and the Beechtree Community Centre.

"Our association and district forum saw this as having the potential to secure the continued use of the day centre and its bus for this very important service to the community.

"However, meetings and opinions voiced over the last nine months have resulted in concerns about potential hidden agendas resulting in no concrete proposals, all of which has served to heighten apprehensions about the future security of day centre facility uses.

"Initially our district forum used a community company bus to collect and return everybody from their own homes.

"When this company went out of business an agreement was put in place allowing the use of the day centre bus for this transporting purpose."

Councillor Tim Barker, Shropshire Council cabinet member for adult social care, said: "Discussions are taking place about a number of options regarding how day services are provided in the future, but there are no current plans to close Bradbury Day Centre."