Issue - meetings

To receive the report regarding Day Centres – Hot Meal Service.

RESOLVED that Cabinet confirms that no financial savings will be made from this process and all allocated Day Centre Service budget will be retained for the new service delivery options, both in 2021/22 and ongoing

Councillor Freeman presented the report on the Day Centres - hot meals service. He said the centres were currently not in operation due to Covid-19, but a review would be carried out on their future use. He said the aim was to make day centres in Uttlesford appropriate for the 21^st Century, and to ensure that they operated in the interests of those who currently use them, as well as widening their appeal. He said he was putting together a working group, including people who had practical experience in running the day centres, and recommendations would be reported back to Cabinet at a later date.

Councillor Dean welcomed the initiative to increase the use of day centres. He asked Cabinet to carefully consider the hot meals service before making any changes. He said that the starting point of the review should be to consider the needs of the current users of day centres, and to listen to volunteers who would also be able to add value to the process.

Councillor Freeman confirmed that volunteers would be key stakeholders in this process and would be heavily consulted during the review, and would contribute to the membership of the working group. He added that officers would also assist in resourcing the working group.

Councillor Tayler said he was keen to be involved and to assist Councillor Freeman to help improve the Day Centre service.

Councillors Lodge and Hargreaves alluded to how mixing generations together, such as the elderly and young children, could be beneficial and should be included in the review.

In response to a question, Councillor Freeman confirmed that any decision relating to day centres would be democratic, subject to consultation and existing funds would be ring-fenced. Furthermore, if recommendations to improve the Day Centre service required further funding, that would also be considered.   

Councillor Freeman proposed the recommendation set-out in the report; Councillor Eke seconded the proposal.

The recommendation was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED that Cabinet confirms that no financial savings will be made from this process and all allocated Day Centre Service budget will be retained for the new service delivery options, both in 2021/22 and ongoing

The meeting ended at 8.58pm.