Firefighters in Pembrokeshire to enjoy lower council tax – The Pembrokeshire Herald

An impassioned plea was made at County Hall this week to give the threatened closure of Pembroke Dock’s Anchorage day centre some breathing space. The centre could become a victim of the financial problems of Pembrokeshire County Council, which is struggling with cash and feels the need to balance the books.

The council is currently in the process of making changes to care for the elderly and people with learning disabilities, and there have recently been concerns that the Anchorage nursery in Pembroke Dock is set to close.

Recently, a number of meetings were held at The Anchorage to outline the reasons and options for continued service.

The Anchorage Day Care Centre in Pembroke Dock has been a “safe and happy place” for adults with learning disabilities and additional needs for decades.

In recent years, services have been expanded to include support for elderly people suffering from dementia.

At the Pembrokeshire County Council meeting on 18 July, members received two petitions calling on the council to reverse the decision to close day centres in Pembroke Dock, Crymych and Narberth.

Speaking at the meeting, Anchorage petition author Peter Welsh, who said there had been no real consultation about the proposals, was joined by many of the service users in the public gallery at County Hall in Haverfordwest.

He made an impassioned appeal for the centre to remain open, saying of the service users: “They are a family, a happy group of people who enjoy being together safely in their home, Anchorage.

“They are effectively voiceless, we will be their voice.

“It is unjust; unforgivable targeting of the vulnerable. Please do not use these vulnerable individuals as pawns for a money-making profit.

“We may lose this fight today, but I hope not; they need your support. Imagine if it was your son or daughter or grandchild who was going through this uncertainty that was affecting their lives; you would feel the same anger that we do.”

To loud applause from the stands, he ended with: “July 18, 2024; for those in the stands, today is their day, their life; but today could also be your day. Today we appeal to you on their behalf, today you have the chance to right a wrong.”

Councillor Tessa Hodgson, responsible for social care and protection, said services were no longer focused on buildings and the council was facing huge financial pressures.

According to Councillor Hodgson, this was made worse by a last-minute cut in council tax for 2024, from an expected 16 to 12.5 per cent, which included warnings of serious cuts to services.

In addition, members said there were also building repairs costing over £300,000 and a decline in visitor numbers to the centre, particularly post-COVID.

Chief executive Will Bramble said the pressure on social services in the county was so great that the 12.5 per cent increase in council tax did not even meet the demands of that department alone, adding: “The only reason we could have a balanced budget was by cutting services to have a balanced budget.”

Tony Wilcox, local councillor for Pembroke Dock, said a purpose-built facility, part of the nearby Pembroke South Quay development, expected to be completed within a few years, could provide a new home for service users. He urged them to remain where they are until the development is complete.

“I firmly believe that the government should reconsider keeping Anchorage open as it is now for a period of two or three years before the new facility opens.”

He was joined by his fellow Pembroke Dock councillor Brian Hall, who originally opened the Anchorage “many, many years ago”.

“Moving to South Quay would have been perfect, but they haven’t started building it yet; why can’t they just leave it there until the building is finished? That’s not much to ask and would probably save money.”

He later said: “I think it is a sin for all the clients there; what is wrong with keeping them there for three years? Many of these clients are nearer Pembroke than Pembroke Dock; I hope the Government will let them stay there for three years; three years is all we ask, it is the way forward to keep the people who are there happy.”

The factor of a lower council tax increase putting the centre at risk was raised by councillor Maureen Bowen, who said: “I’m so sorry for the stress this has caused everyone”, adding: “I voted for a low budget knowing these changes would happen; sometimes we know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.”

The final word went to Mr Welsh, who disputed that the building was unfit for its intended purpose.

“Keep Anchorage running for the time being, as Councilmembers Wilcox and Hall said, keep these guys where they’re comfortable and where they’re happy.”

A report on the Anchorage Centre is expected to be published at the September meeting of the Provincial Council Cabinet before a final decision is made.