Campaigners have heralded the council’s shock decision to continue to provide respite at Hollins View for another year as a ‘victory’ for democracy.
Speaking after the meeting, Labour Coun Laura Jeuda said: “The campaign group and The Express have done a brilliant job, and it is fantastic news that the respite services will remain at Hollins View and Lincoln House for another 12 months.
“This decision could not have happened without the tireless work of the campaigners and I applaud them all.
“All along we have said that the service must remain in use.”
In a joint statement campaigners Jean Bennett, David Wood and Eileen Talbot welcomed the decision, but said the fight would continue to ensure that Hollins View remained open and offering respite care well into the future.
They said: “Today we welcome much better news than expected.
“But the fight will continue to ensure that these facilities remain open. We thank The Express for all of its work campaigning on this issue.
“We will monitor the situation for the next year and the campaign will keep going.
“For now this is a truce rather than a victory, and the battle will carry on to make sure that our vulnerable adults are protected.”
After the meeting Council Leader, Coun Michael Jones said: “Going forward we will explore working with partners and potential options to enhance the services both centres provide to our residents.”
