Agenda item

Copy attached

It was moved by Councillor Sammon, seconded by Councillor Evans:

The Future of Respite Care

The closure of Revitalise Sandpipers in Southport is a huge loss to the community and a devastating blow to people living with disabilities and their carers who relied on it. The highly skilled staff and dedicated volunteers who kept Sandpipers running for decades will be greatly missed. It was one of two such facilities in the UK run by Revitalise, the closure of the charity now puts into question the future of respite care in the UK.

The Council notes that:

Respite care is an essential service. It is vital that people living with disabilities and their carers can enjoy a holiday in a safe and relaxing environment to help take the pressure off everyday life.

Respite care cannot end with the closure of the Revitalise charity.

It is regrettable that the closure of Sandpipers and Revitalise happened so suddenly and was unable to be prevented.

The Council resolves to:

Write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care requesting that the Government preserves the future of respite care by looking to establish a new respite care holiday centre in Southport.

Publicly thank everyone who worked and volunteered at the Revitalise Sandpipers venue and offer them support to find new jobs and volunteering opportunities, if required.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Moncur, seconded by Councillor Lunn-Bates that the Motion be revised as follows:

The Future of Respite Care

The closure of Revitalise Sandpipers in Southport is a huge loss to the community and a devastating blow to people living with disabilities and their carers who relied on it. The highly skilled staff and dedicated volunteers who kept Sandpipers running for decades will be greatly missed.

The Council notes that:

Respite care is an essential service. It is vital that people living with disabilities and their carers can enjoy a holiday in a safe and relaxing environment to help take the pressure off everyday life.

It is regrettable that the closure of Sandpipers and Revitalise happened so suddenly and was unable to be prevented.

The Council resolves to:

Support the ongoing development of a Respite Strategy for Sefton Residents.

Publicly thank everyone who worked and volunteered at the Revitalise Sandpipers venue and offer them support to find new jobs and volunteering opportunities, if required.

Following a debate on the amendment the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared that the amendment was carried unanimously.

Thereafter, the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote on the Substantive Motion and the Mayor declared that the Substantive Motion was carried unanimously and it was

RESOLVED:

The Future of Respite Care

The closure of Revitalise Sandpipers in Southport is a huge loss to the community and a devastating blow to people living with disabilities and their carers who relied on it. The highly skilled staff and dedicated volunteers who kept Sandpipers running for decades will be greatly missed.

The Council notes that:

Respite care is an essential service. It is vital that people living with disabilities and their carers can enjoy a holiday in a safe and relaxing environment to help take the pressure off everyday life.

It is regrettable that the closure of Sandpipers and Revitalise happened so suddenly and was unable to be prevented.

The Council resolves to:

Support the ongoing development of a Respite Strategy for Sefton Residents.

Publicly thank everyone who worked and volunteered at the Revitalise Sandpipers venue and offer them support to find new jobs and volunteering opportunities, if required.