ELDERLY people at day care centres have a few months respite after closure plans are put on hold.
A Denbighshire Council decision on whether to shut down Hafan Deg and Llys y Nant day care centres in Rhyl and Prestatyn has been deferred until after the May elections.
Sherry Edwards, Prestatyn council councillor, said: “This is good news. I’m really pleased.
“One of the things that frustrated me was that Denbighshire Council seemed hell bent on the closures. I felt so sorry for the residents there, as they are feeling so threatened.”
The centres, which care for older people, some of whom are infirm or are battling Alzheimer’s, offer carers a chance to have a few hours a week to rest, shop and socialise.
Cllr Edwards said: “What I’m hoping is that we will have a full chamber of councillors who will protect these facilities. And this will give us longer to build a case for the residents.”
News that the two centres could face closure as the Council tried to save £50,000 a year met with widespread protests from residents.
Cllr Edwards said: “The idea is that the voluntary sector can pick up the slack. I’m on a number of voluntary groups and they are all struggling for volunteers. And you want professional people to do this. We will be watching this carefully.”
Cllr Brian Blakely, who has been campaigning to keep Hafan Deg open, was more cautious.
He said: “It will mean a break, and a brief respite. But a lot of people are being left hanging. I have been overwhelmed by the support out there for day care services. Denbighshire County Council must now rule out closing these centres.”
Ann Jones, AM for the Vale of Clwyd, leant her support to the campaign, saying the centres helped older people stay at home for longer.