Question by Caroline Nichols on the Day Centres and with Council Leader's Reply

Funding opportunities for Day Centres in Spelthorne

The following question was formally asked at the Spelthorne Full Council Meeting on 23rd February 2006:

The government white paper entitled 'Our health, our care, our say - a new direction for community services' just published in January 2006 asks the Primary Care Trusts to work with local councils to combine health and social care opportunities. It specifically mentions community centres as appropriate locations for some types of primary health care and gives the promise that funding will be available.

This proposal offers potential financial respite for councils' community centres. Bearing this in mind, a decision to dispose of Stanwell and Sunbury's day centres would seem to be premature and contrary to government wishes. What options has Spelthorne Borough Council pursued with the PCT, and what other sources of funding has the council investigated with a view to preventing the closure of the day centres?

Caroline Nichols

The Council Leader's reply is given in full.

"The Council has been in discussion with Surrey County Council Social Service Department and the Primary Care Trust [PCT] for some four to five years. A group, led by the Chief Executive and Senior Officers, has been looking at opportunities to work together, including funding. The County does provide some funding at a subsidised level, but at the full cost to us to support services and this is mainly for those who have higher needs. Officers are continuing to look at different funding options as part of the final report to Executive."