COUNCIL BACKS DOWN ON MURDOCH AND TREVITHICK CENTRE CLOSURE TIMETABLE (Julia Goldsworthy)

Julia Goldsworthy <info@juliagoldsworthy.org>

COUNCIL BACKS DOWN ON MURDOCH AND TREVITHICK CENTRE CLOSURE TIMETABLE

July 20, 2009 4:30 PM

Cornwall Council is abandoning the closure timetable for the Murdoch & Trevithick Centre - a day centre for adults with learning disabilities in Redruth, after the plans were met with massive opposition from local users and carers.

Local MP Julia Goldsworthy, along with Lib Dem Councillors Chris Pascoe and Joyce Duffin recently met with senior council officials to raise their concerns with the plans.

They called for a process that took the needs and wishes of those relying on the centre into account. They also questioned why decisions on the future of the site were not being thrown open to everyone that uses the centre.

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy MP said:

"Carers and users at the Murdoch and Trevithick Centre were justifiably concerned that plans to close the day centre were failing to take their views into account. Most of all they were worried that the centre would be closed with nothing appropriate put in its place.

"The Council's decision to abandon the closure timetable is a welcome first step in putting things right. Now Cornwall Council must come forward with plans that do more than pay lip-service to any consultation process. That means putting users of the centre in charge of decisions about its future - and abandoning closure altogether, if this is what people want."