Day centre threat

POLITICAL figures in Uckfield have slammed East Sussex County Council over its handling of a day centre in the town for people with learning disabilities.

Councillors Martha Whittle and Duncan Bennett this week spoke out against news that 605,000 was to be slashed from the county s social services budget, meaning that some day centres may have to close as a result.

Of the eight council day care centres across the county, Uckfield s Bellbrook Centre is perhaps seen by many as being at particular risk because it has still to reopen after October 2000 s floods. Staff and users of the centre have been forced to attend day centres in Hailsham and Crowborough instead.

Cllr Whittle accused the county council of 'penny-pinching while Cllr Bennett warned that essential day care services for vulnerable members of society in Uckfield could be axed.

LibDem district councillor Mrs Whittle said: 'The effective closure of the Bellbrook Centre, which provided a much needed resource for Uckfield, is outrageous, and is yet another example of Conservative-led county council penny-pinching cuts in services. As usual, it hits at the vulnerable in this town who may not be able to robustly defend their right to such services.

'I begin to question East Sussex County Council s right to call itself a local authority service provider as the flood of actual and proposed cuts continues.

Labour town councillor Mr Bennett said: 'I am particularly anxious for those people from in and around the Uckfield area whose lives have been affected by the prolonged and now possibly permanent closure of the Bellbrook Centre.

'The county council s statements do seem to be wholly contradictory. On one hand they seem to be saying that they want to deliver a better service to users of their day care facilities, while on the other, they are desperate to cut their budget. I sincerely hope that they are able to perform what would be a fantastic piece of socio-economic magic, but I certainly doubt it.

'It is my fear that the county council will try to axe, or reduce, provision for a minority group of people who already fear that they are under-provided for in our area. The other fear that I hold is that the people likely to suffer most, happen to be among the most vulnerable members of our community and least able to argue against any detrimental outcomes.

Uckfield s Conservative county councillor Chris Dowling said: 'I am sorry to learn of the possible closure of the Bellbrook Centre and I recognise the good work that all centres, and Mencap, carry out.

'However, there are special circumstances with the Uckfield centre as it was badly damaged in the flood of October 2000 and negotiations with insurers are incomplete. The closeness of the building to the river and the risk of flooding places a question mark over the future of the building.

Transport

'Those in the Uckfield area who need the services of a day care centre are provided for in Crowborough or Hailsham and transport is provided by the county council.

The county council s lead cabinet member for social services, Cllr Keith Glazier, said: 'We have got to live within our means. We have always come in over budget and we don t have that luxury this year. Our reserves are below what the district auditor recommends. But compared to similar-sized councils, East Sussex County Council is still the highest spending authority by far on learning disabilities.

'We must be needs led not building led. We need to identify needs and put appropriate services in place. I have a feeling something in the Uckfield area will be needed. But we need to assess the needs of all the people in the area before we can dictate what services we need.

'Early indications are that something in that (Uckfield) area will be needed and if that is borne out then something will be provided.