Senior North Yorkshire councillors have been urged to delay a decision on the closure of a day centre for adults with special needs until the issue has been scrutinised by colleagues.
Members of North Yorkshire Council’s care and independence overview and scrutiny committee voted to call on the authority’s executive to delay their decision on the future of the Cauwood Day Service, in Malton.
Executive members are due to vote on the closure of the centre on August 4.
But the scrutiny committee has called for the issue to be examined by their members first.
Councillor Steve Mason, Liberal Democrat councillor for Ampleforth and Amotherby ward, proposed the pause in the decision-making process.
He said: “The current case for closing Cauwood has not met the test residents should expect. The proposed saving is marginal when set against the council’s wider budget, but the consequences for people with complex needs, their families and unpaid carers could be profound.
“Before any final decision is made, the Council must show where current users will go, whether those alternatives meet the same specialist standards, and how risks to users and carers will be managed.”
He added: “Cauwood is not just a building or a line in a budget. It is a vital specialist service for disabled residents and a lifeline for families and unpaid carers.”
The call for the decision to be delayed has been welcomed by Malton councillors.
Conservative councillor Keane Duncan said: “The executive rightly agreed an initial delay to ensure consultation could take place and it now seems right for responses gathered to be examined in detail. Cross-party scrutiny could be invaluable in supporting the executive as it reaches a decision, not only about Cauwood, but the future of day care services in general.
“Meanwhile, the petition in support of Cauwood has gathered more than 1,500 signatures, meaning the issue will be considered by councillors at the area committee. This will be a chance to hear from the families of service users and local charities about Cauwood’s importance.”
Independent councillor Lindsay Burr added: “Cauwood in Malton is not only a vital service but a vital building with exceptional facilities.
“I, a hundred per cent, back the scrutiny decision. We do not want Cauwood to close.”
Council officers have recommended that the day centre be closed to make way for a new extra care housing scheme, with its services offered elsewhere in Ryedale.
A council report published earlier this year said the centre currently supported seven people, who have either a learning disability and/or autism, or other physical and sensory needs.
The report noted that there has been limited demand for the service over the past five years, with only two new people using the service since 2020.
Officers say the property is outdated, in an isolated location, has high maintenance costs and has staffing issues.
The document concluded that it was not sustainable to continue delivering services from the site in the medium-long term.
