Bid to save day centres with election funds lost

Opposition leaders in East Sussex have lost a bid to use money saved from the cancellation of county council elections to save four specialist day centres for elderly and disabled people from closure.

After almost an hour of what the chairman called "emotional" debate, the proposal was defeated by 26 votes to 22.

Council leaders said they were in the "most difficult set of financial circumstances" ever and closing the centre would save £1m, but families say they are a lifeline.

East Sussex County Council's budget proposal for 2025/26, which includes savings of £13.5m, drawing on £12m of reserves and increasing council tax by 4.99% was voted through.

County council leader Keith Glazier said it would not be right to make a decision before the results of a public consultation on the closure of the day centres have been analysed and reported to cabinet later this month.

He added: "There is no election expenses line in the budget so therefore we would be taking away out of our already much depleted reserves."

The leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Independent Democrats groups tabled a joint amendment proposing to redirect £1.65m that was budgeted for elections this May.

Plans to postpone county council elections due to take place in East and West Sussex were given the go-ahead by the government last Wednesday as Sussex was accepted onto its devolution priority programme.

They said taking account of around £130,000 already spent by borough and district councils, who are responsible for running elections, that leaves £1.52m available.

Liberal Democrat group leader, Councillor David Tutt, said: "One of the county council's priorities is to look after the most vulnerable people in our community and these are the most vulnerable people."

About 230 people currently use the Phoenix Centre, Lewes, and Milton Grange, Eastbourne, which care for the elderly and those with dementia, plus Linden Court, in Eastbourne, and Hookstead, in Crowborough, which care for adults with learning disabilities.

Leaders say adult social care accounted for 48% of its budget last year and costs are "going through the roof".

A final decision on the closure of the four day centres will be made at a council cabinet meeting on 25 February.

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