Cost of day centres ‘unsustainable’

THE low usage and ongoing cost of day centres in Rhondda Cynon Taff is “unsustainable,” says the council.

RCT is reviewing its community day centre provision with a six-week consultation which started on January 21.

There are currently five open-access day centres left in RCT which include Gilfach Goch Day Centre, Brynnar Jones Day Centre in Gelli, Alec Jones Day Centre in Porth, Teifi House Day Centre in Maerdy, and Nazareth House Day Centre in Williamstown which provide those aged over 50 with access to a hot meal and a range of activities.

But a report presented to cabinet in November stated the low usage and ongoing cost to the council was “not sustainable” with limited activites and a total repair bill of around half a million pounds. Cabinet decided last month to transfer activities currently held at Alec Jones Day centre to the new community hub planned for Porth Plaza so this consultation concerns the other four day centres.

The net budget for the remaining community day centres is £251,000 and the council says the usage of them is low with small numbers of meals provided each day.

The net cost per meal to the council at all centres is significant and in Nazareth House’s case it is nearly £17 per meal.

The council also says programmes of activities are generally quite limited and no activites are held at all at the Williamstown day centre.

There are also said to be significant maintenance and repair requirements for all buildings estimated to be in the region of £500,000 over five years and the council says the current service model is “no longer sustainable.