Decision details

The Chief Executive advised the Committee that Devon County Council was currently undertaking consultation on the proposed changes to the North Devon Link Services and that the consultation was due to close shortly.  He advised the Committee of the following:

·       Devon County Council provided North Devon Link Service centres in Bideford, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple.  Since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, these centres had been closed.

·       The consultation proposed that the service was redesigned from a buildings based service to one that works with people in their community to address their needs and enable them to live as independently as possible.

·       The consultation was primarily targeted at individuals who used the service.

·       The consultation had gained a lot publicity.

·       It was suggested that Members may wish to submit their own response as part of the consultation.

RESOLVED that the Chief Executive be instructed to write to Devon County Council:

(a)  objecting to the changes proposed to the North Devon Link Service highlighting that the physical centres had provided a lifeline during the Coronavirus pandemic and that the closure was counterproductive on the health and Police services; and

(b)  requesting that the matter be referred to the Devon County Council Health and Wellbeing Committee for consideration.