Decision details

Adult Social Care is proposing to close the Phoenix Centre day service for older people with physical and mental health needs, and support people to access alternative services in the community. The proposals is one of a number that the department has been consulting on to help close the Council’s funding gap. The results of the consultation will be shared and Cabinet will make a decision on whether the proposals go ahead or not.  

57.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health.

57.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) Agree to close the Phoenix Centre Day Service in Lewes for older people with physical and mental health needs;

2) Agree that the Council will support people to access alternative services in the community which, will include the East Sussex County Council run Day Service, Milton Grange in Eastbourne; and

3) Delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the above resolutions.

Reasons

57.3     The Council is required to set a balanced budget. The ‘State of the County’ report presented to Cabinet in June 2024 set out a projected £55m deficit on the 2025/26 budget. Savings proposals requiring public consultation that would help to close this gap were presented to Cabinet in September 2024.

57.4     The total savings proposals for the Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2025/26-2027/28 set out in November 2024 were £20.628m, across all Council departments. The Adult Social Care and Health (ASCH) contribution to the savings total is £11.455m. In addition to these savings proposals, in order to achieve a balanced budget, the Council is also drawing on its financial reserves.

57.5     The original proposals put forward were designed to contribute to the savings required by the Council. It is clear from the feedback highlighted in the consultation, that most respondents disagree with the proposal to close the Phoenix Centre Day Service and to support people to access alternative services in the community.

57.6     However, the savings of £191,000 cannot be met unless the Phoenix Centre Day Service closes and alternative options are looked at for meeting the assessed care needs of the 32 people currently using the service.

57.7     Having considered the feedback from the consultation process a potential mitigation has been identified and is set out in the report, namely, to offer adults receiving a service at the Phoenix Centre the opportunity to consider the Milton Grange Day Service as well as other alternative services in the community.

57.8     This will ensure that the eligible needs of these people are still met whilst allowing the Council to achieve the required £191,000 savings.

57.9     Cabinet members have read and had regard to the Equalities Impact Assessment when making decisions related to this proposal.