‘Disgusting!’ – resident blasts day centre axe
A RESIDENT has expressed her disgust at a council decision to close a day centre which means the Rhondda Valley doesn’t have a lot left.
Lesley Crew, from Cwmparc, Rhondda, spoke of her disappointment at the decision by Rhondda Cynon Taf council to close Brynnar Jones Day Centre in Gelli.
It will be one of three to close – Teifi House Day Centre in Maerdy and Nazareth House Day Centre in Williamstown are also for the axe, but the Gilfach Goch day centre is set to remain open.
The council says the decision to close the three centres was made because of the rising costs of running them and the low numbers of people using them.
The four centres would cost more than £267,000 to run next year.
The average cost per meal is nearly £21 in Maerdy, with a projected repair cost for the buildings of £500,000 over the next five years.
The council says that they are moving towards a community hub model which would see services brought together under one roof.
But Ms Crew said: “I think the decision is absolutely disgusting. It is a facility that will be sadly missed if it does get closed. We haven’t got a lot left in the Rhondda. Don’t keep taking things away from us. Surely the should be fighting our corner to get funding for our facilities. I know lots of people who use the centre. My mother is in her 80s and she would probably use it. Everybody should get up, say something and protest.”
Councillor Larraine Jones, of Ystrad ward where the Brynnar Jones Day Centre is located, also expressed her disappointment.
“What worries me is what next? They talked about the Ferndale hub, praising the fact they amalgamated the library amongst other agencies.
“We don’t have a hub, we don’t have a library and soon we won’t have a day centre. Gelli is being ignored and we need to express our dissatisfaction.”
But a council spokesperson said the expectations and needs of older residents are changing.
“Three out of the four open access community day centres in Rhondda Cynon Taf provide a relatively small number of meals – which is low as 11 per day – and also a limited programme of activities, with one day centre having no activity provision at all.
“Very clearly they do not meet the modern-day needs of the county’s older generations, and as a result the council needs to consider the future shape of these services for the future.
“As a consequence of their poor usage, these facilities require a significant subsidy to be maintained. In response to the six-week consultation undertaken, council officers recommend closing the three centres which have the lowest usage and retaining the Gilfach Goch community day centre.”