News from Medway Labour

Medway Labour campaign saves Balfour Centre from Tory closure

Labour councillors are relieved that a solution has been found enabling the Balfour Day Centre to remain open.

It was agreed at Medway Council’s Conservative Cabinet meeting this week that the centre would be run in ‘co-production’ with social enterprise Medway Community Healthcare for 6 months, whilst plans are developed in conjunction with service users to provide a new service. After this period, a new service will be created in a location as yet undisclosed, which will merge the existing day centres at Balfour and Walter Brice.

This decision follows a longstanding campaign to keep the much valued day centre open, after its closure was threatened by the Tory administration. Labour councillors supported service users and their families in a highly emotive campaign to keep the centre open.

Cllr Teresa Murray, Labour spokesperson for Health and Adult Social Care said;

“It is such a relief to all the service users, staff, carers and supporters of Balfour that a solution was found at the final hour. The consultation showed how much the centre means to so many people in Medway, and even in other areas – the Cabinet couldn’t continue to ignore their needs.

“The Balfour Centre has the potential to expand, and many more people could benefit from the great services and companionship offered there. That said, we will be keeping a close eye on the future development of the new service to ensure it continues to provide Balfour’s users with the high quality service they are used to, and have a right to expect.”

Other news from Medway Labour

• Medway Labour calls for cross-party support for Equal Marriage - 21 January 2013
• Medway Labour welcomes Gambling Commission meeting over "crack cocaine" of gambling - 14 January 2013
• Medway Labour welcome Rochester rail station relocation plan - 11 January 2013