Town council unaware of older person day care trial

A senior Powys county councillor has apologised for not telling Newtown town councillors about a trial day service for older people in the town.

The trial service began on 5 September at Hafan Yr Afon in Back Lane, but the town council wasn't informed about it, despite having campaigned fo the re-opening of the Park Street Day Centre since it closed during the Covid pandemic.

The trial is held one day a week for up to 12 older people who must be referred to it by social services or a partner agency.

On Monday, town councillors will consider a letter from the county council.

Cllr Sian Cox, Cabinet Member for a Caring Powys, said: "I'm writing to inform the town council about a new trial arrangement for day service provision in Newtown, at Hafan-Yr-Afon. I hope you and the councillors can accept my sincere apologies that I did not inform you in advance about this trial provision, which commenced on 5th September.

"I was last updated about it in April, when the steering group which covers the day opportunities work, of which I am a member, was informed about early moves to develop the provision, but at that time there was not yet concrete information for me to provide you with."

Cllr Cox added: Following the day opportunities engagement event in Newtown, and in light of the continuation of the lease to Powys Teaching Health Board of the Park Day Centre, Adult Services began measures to
design and provide an alternate daytime opportunity for older people in Newtown, to bridge the gap while the full Powys-wide data from the engagement exercise was being processed and until developments informed by that data are progressed and consulted on.

"The trial day service is operating on one day per week, on Thursdays, between 09.30 and 15.30. It can accommodate up to twelve older people. 

"Attendees must have an assessed care need and be referred by their social worker or a partner agency involved in their care and support plan. The
service is being operated by staff from Maes Y Wennol Day Centre in Llanidloes. 

"The service opened on 5th September, with five older people attending. Once again, I do apologise for not informing you about the new service prior to information about it being made available in the public domain."