Heartfelt scenes from residents as they tell the Labour Cabinet: "You just don't get it"

Members of the public joined the cabinet meeting today, wearing “Save Harborne Day Centre” t-shirts. Service users and carers shook their heads in disappointment at various points during the debate, as the arguments for closing 4 of the 9 council run day centres were laid out by the cabinet member, Cllr Rob Pocock. 

Efficiency and cost were cited as reasons for the proposals; with the added explanation that many of the day centres run well under capacity. In part, this was put down to long term staffing issues.

Yet the Liberal Democrats, through conversations with council officers, identified that there are 74 providers across the city offering activities for people as an alternative to council run day centres. 

Cllr Harmer said “The private offer demonstrates that there is a clear demand for good quality activities for people who use the services, and respite for carers. There’s no real reason why these centres can’t be at full capacity. 

“There has been a consultation on the proposals. I asked the officers what has changed following consultation, and it appeared that nothing had. This is a red flag indicating that the council are not listening."

At the end of the meeting, one lady from the public addressed the Labour administration saying, “You just don’t get it.”