Proposed closure of Malton's Cauwood Day Centre

Cauwood Day Centre is a specialist, trusted and nationally accredited service relied upon by disabled adults, families and unpaid carers across Ryedale. Councillors say any decision to close it must be based on full consultation evidence, a thorough Equality Impact Assessment following public consultation and clear proof that equivalent, safe and specialist provision is already available locally.

Councillor Steve Mason, Liberal Democrat councillor for Ampleforth and Amotherby ward in Ryedale, said: 

“The current case for closing Cauwood has not met the test residents should expect. The proposed saving is marginal when set against the Council’s wider budget, but the consequences for people with complex needs, their families and unpaid carers could be profound. 

“Before any final decision is made, the Council must show where current users will go, whether those alternatives meet the same specialist standards, and how risks to users and carers will be managed.”

Councillor Mason added, “Cauwood is not just a building or a line in a budget. It is a vital specialist service for disabled residents and a lifeline for families and unpaid carers. 

“The Council must consider the consultation results, equality impacts, accreditation gap and availability of genuine local alternatives openly and transparently before removing this provision.”

The committee voted in support of Councillor Mason’s call to request the executive postpone the decision on the 4th August until the committee had had the chance to properly scrutinise the proposals. 

Councillor Mason concluded, “We require urgent and proper scrutiny before any closure plans are taken forward, so families, carers and disabled residents receive evidence rather than assumptions before a vital specialist service is removed.”