Council chiefs
in Leeds have pledged to carry out a new and thorough review before consulting
on the future of the authority’s remaining specialist residential care and day
centres.
Leeds City Council’s executive
board have previously supported proposals which included consultation on decommissioning Siegen
Manor in Morley, Middlecross in Armley and The Green in Seacroft along with
their associated day centres.
The next phase of the Better Lives Strategy
would also see permanent admissions to Knowle Manor in Morley and Spring
Gardens in Otley cease once a suitable alternative has been identified.
The proposals also include consultation on
the provision of the council’s in house community support service.
Consultation on the strategy was due to
begin in January.
But following detailed discussions with
staff and trade unions, the council has agreed to put the consultation on hold
to give more time to gather further information and projections.
Councillor
Adam Ogilvie, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, said:
“We understand that this consultation may
create a lot of uncertainly for those receiving care, their families and our
staff.
“Whilst we are keen to keep any delay to a
minimum, it is imperative that any decisions over the future of important
services like these are taken only when all the available facts have been
gathered and everyone has been given the chance to have their say.
“That is why, after further discussions
with officials from the relevant trade unions, we have decided to put the start
of the consultation back until we can carry out a new and thorough review of
all the information we have used to draw up our proposals.”
The review is expected to be completed by
spring 2015. The outcome will then determine how the consultation will
progress.
Cllr Ogilvie added: “I would like once
again assure everyone that no decisions will be made until a detailed consultation
has been completed and we will keep all those affected fully informed.
“Until that time we will continue to admit
people wishing to enter our residential care homes and our social workers will
as always support people every step of the way.
“We have also
made a commitment to encourage proposals from trade unions and staff, who may
wish to develop their own ideas for alternative service delivery models for
consideration by the council’s executive board.”
The Better Lives proposals are part of a
four year strategy for how adult social care can continue to be provided in
Leeds in the face of unprecedented budget cuts which will see the council save
£48m over the next year alone.
If they progress, proposals for this next
phase would save the council £4m over the next four years, contributing to
overall budget savings.
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
Communications Officer
Leeds City Council
Tel: 0113 224 3937