A COUNCILLOR has described the decision to close a respite centre used by vulnerable residents in Hampshire for 30 years as “abhorrent”.

Cllr Chris Thomas accused county council chiefs of putting money and buildings ahead of people after they decided to shut John Darling Mall in Boyatt Wood, Eastleigh.

It comes as Hampshire County Council bosses are looking to make £98million of cuts next year alone in the face of a reduction in their government grant.

Campaigners who have been battling to save the facility, said it would hit vulnerable people and deprive the community of a “vital” facility.

Hampshire Chronicle:

 

Cllr Thomas, pictured, a Liberal Democrat councillor on Eastleigh Borough Council, said: “They are putting money and buildings in front of people.

“In view of what the chancellor George Osborne has said about making more money available to local authorities for social care, he is aware of the situation and everyone else is aware apart from Hampshire County Council.”

He also slammed the consultation and said there was no mention of alternative uses for the building and said that campaigners have a Plan B to carry on battling against the closure.

The centre is used to look after adults with physical disabilities and provide their carers with respite.

A council report shows that 39 people used it regularly in 2014/15 with respite provided for up to 18 people at any one time.

Hampshire’s executive member for adult social care Cllr Liz Fairhurst said: “My decision to close John Darling Mall is not one that I have taken lightly.

“I have looked in detail at the public consultation responses, and the reasons presented by adult services in support of closure - namely the decline in demand for respite at JDM, and the significant investment required to bring the building up to modern standards.

“My priority has been, and continues to be, to ensure that a range of good quality respite care options exist across the county to meet the changing needs and preferences of Hampshire’s residents.”