Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is urging Denbighshire County Council to ditch proposals to close Cefndy Healthcare in Rhyl.
Denbighshire County Council announced yesterday (Tuesday) that the future of the enterprise, which employs many disabled people, is under review.
Employees at the centre were informed in the morning, and in the afternoon a workshop was held at which Denbighshire County Council members received a presentation on the future viability of the centre (previously known as Cefndy Enterprises).
Within hours of the announcement, Darren had already been contacted by a number of concerned disabled employees.
Darren said:
“I was very concerned to learn that the future of Cefndy Healthcare is under review.
“This enterprise employs many disabled people, giving them the dignity of work, and helping them to promote and maintain their independence.
“I have already been contacted by a number of disabled people who works there and they have been left extremely worried about their future employment prospects, and I am sure my colleagues and I will hear from more in the coming days.
“This centre is a real lifeline for the disabled people and others who work there, providing them with a real sense of purpose. It is more than just employment, it is a life transforming place to work; the council must seriously consider that before making a rash decision.
“I therefore implore them to scrap these proposals and take the time to properly consider all alternative options which could safeguard these vital employment opportunities for local disabled people.”
The Leader of the Conservative Group on Denbighshire County Council, Cllr Brian Jones, who attended yesterday’s workshop and challenged officers over the closure, said:
“Once again, the council is dropping bomb shells like this on us backbenchers just a few weeks before a decision is due to be made, leaving little time for us to explore viable options for keeping this vital centre open.
“This is due to go before Denbighshire’s Cabinet on September 23rd, which is just three weeks’ away! Decisions like this should not be rushed, particularly when the livelihoods and wellbeing of vulnerable workers are at stake.”
