Councillor calls for cabinet member to resign over day centre closure

A ward councillor for Burnham has called for the resignation of a Buckinghamshire council cabinet member over her team’s handling of the closure of a day centre for disabled adults.

Burnham Short Breaks Day Service has been earmarked for closure due to a ‘marked decline’ in use and a desire to save money.

The decision has been received poorly by the family carers of people using the service.

They have since declared their intention to go ahead with a judicial review to challenge the decision.

Families also enlisted a ‘top consultancy firm’ costing ‘a lot of money’ to help build a business case to take Burnham Short Breaks over from Bucks council.

They were given eight weeks and completed it within six – but have heard nothing back, said Hazel Howe, one of the parents.

“They’ve had that business plan for five weeks,” she said. “We have emailed them constantly asking for feedback on this business plan model and they haven’t responded.

“They have not answered any of our questions and concerns about the other sites – they’ve given us nothing. They’ve just completely shut down.”

This spurred Burnham ward councillor, Cole Caesar (Reform UK) to write a strongly worded email to Cllr Isobel Darby, cabinet member for health & wellbeing, and two senior officers.

Copying in all Buckinghamshire councillors, he said he felt ‘profound disappointment and frustration’ regarding the handling of the Burnham Short Breaks closure.

Cllr Caesar described the lack of feedback as ‘a glaring procedural failure’ and ‘deeply disappointing.’

“Despite repeated follow-ups, including legal inquiries, the council has failed to respond adequately, demonstrating a complete disregard for proper process and for the service users, parents, and wider community,” he wrote.

He also decried officers speaking to service users ‘in a way that many, including myself, see as trying to pressure them to agree to move to Seeley's House in Beaconsfield.’

“This is completely inappropriate,” he wrote.

He added: “This process has been neither supportive nor professional, and it shows a lack of care and respect for those who rely on these vital services.

“I am frankly ashamed to be part of a local government that allows such disregard for due process, transparency, and the wellbeing of its residents.”

Cllr Caesar further accused Cllr Darby of being ‘out of her depth’ and called for both her resignation, and that of the two senior officers.

In a statement to the Express, Cllr Darby said: “We are aware of correspondence circulated earlier this week by one of the councillors regarding Burnham Short Break Centre.

“The council does not recognise the description of events outlined in that correspondence.

“We remain committed to making difficult decisions in a transparent and responsible manner, ensuring that the best interests of our residents and service users are at the heart of everything we do.”

Since the email, Hazel says the families have been ‘inundated’ with messages of support, calls for a U-turn on Burnham Short Breaks and questions about the business plan from other Bucks councillors.

Update: After this week's full council meeting (November 27), in which the matter of Burnham Short Breaks was raised, Hazel added that she has since received correspondence from key cabinet members.