Application for community group to merge and manage two Lincolnshire day centres

TWO day centres could be merged and managed by a community group if their application is successful.

As part of an ongoing review into day care provision, Lincolnshire County Council has asked for expressions of interest from community groups and other possible service providers to take over the current day care services.

In Horncastle, Lincolnshire County Councillor Bill Aron is working with carers from the Homeleigh and the Wong Centre to present their case to the council.

They want to merge the centres into one and be managed locally.

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A draft proposal was submitted last year for the merger of the two units, making them more economical to run and manage.

Mr Aron said: "Both units provide a vital and invaluable support to those with learning and physical disabilities as well as those accessing older people day care provision. The council has now asked for a formal expression of interest and we are working to a very tight timetable to achieve this as the forms have to be returned by this Friday.

"We believe we have a very strong case for the council to consider.

"Several of the carers are helping with the bid which will include some necessary funding to kick-start the project to help produce a robust business plan. They are forming a committee and would welcome outside support."

In other areas, day services in low-use buildings are continuing in other centres such as Louth.

The council hopes to save £16,500 by closing one of the units on Warwick Road.

The council has two adjacent industrial units being rented but only one is being used, so the empty one is no longer required. Glen Garrod, director of adult services at Lincolnshire County Council said the council had received a good level of interest from across the county in taking on the long-term day care services, including from LCC staff, carers and community groups and the private sector.

He said: "We want to provide choice and quality services for people in various forms and are keen to work with and support anyone interested in such provision.

"There has also been good interest in the development of other more bespoke services, providing day opportunities for people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Information packs have gone out to all interested parties; they include an application for expressing an interest, grant application and service profiles.

"Support has also been offered by LCC to complete applications and we've been in discussions with numerous interested parties about their business ideas."

All proposals will be looked at by a panel to ensure quality provision and viable business cases.