Tenby looks set to lose an ‘invaluable’ facility that has long provided a ‘vital service’ to disadvantaged families, and adults with a learning disability - with the Avenue Centre set to close.

Back in 2016, when the Avenue Centre which is located on Greenhill Avenue came under threat from closure, the community united to secure its future, with a total of 2,400 people signing a paper petition opposing the centre’s closure, and a further 1,300 signing an online petition.

At Pembrokeshire County Council’s meeting of the cabinet on Monday, January 9, approval is sought to relocate ‘Day Services’ for older adults and adults with a learning disability provided from Avenue SAC in Tenby, as well as Portfield SAC in Haverfordwest to alternative venues on a permanent basis with effect from April 1, 2024.

The alternative venues will be Lee Davies Day Centre in Narberth and Meadow Park Day Centre in Prendergast in Haverfordwest, with both venues having been used as alternative sites since August 2023.

A report that will go before PCC’s cabinet, states: ‘It has been identified over recent years that there is a need to review the way in which ‘Day Service’ and ‘Day Opportunities’ are provided in Pembrokeshire for both older people and people with learning disabilities.

‘The historical arrangements rely on a large number of buildings and services being provided for people based on their disability/diagnosis rather than common interests.

‘The medium term plan is to focus more on maintaining peoples’ independence by modernising the way that day opportunities are made available within an individual’s own community.

‘In 2019 PCC embarked on a journey of co-production with people attending day services, families and a wide array of stakeholders, including the health and voluntary sector, to design and develop a new day opportunities model for Pembrokeshire.

‘Following the co-production events a new ‘hub and spoke’ model of delivery was developed for formal consultation in late 2019. This received a positive response. With the decrease in customer numbers it was deemed that the development of a two ‘hubs’ model would facilitate provision of more complex support when required, with a foundation of community based opportunities throughout the County.

‘The ‘hubs’ would be strategically based in the North and South of the County. In addition the service has also commenced a Day Service Opportunities framework which will be instrumental in providing services in an innovative and interactive way during 2024/25.’

Initially Tenby’s Avenue Centre had been considered as a sites for one of the hubs, but has since been deemed inappropriate due to the condition of the building and the level of investment required to bring it up to a reasonable standard.

The report states that health and safety risks of remaining within Tenby’s Avenue Centre is ‘significant’ and includes the need for significant financial investment, a factor that has seen services temporarily relocated away.

‘The age and condition of the buildings means that ongoing maintenance costs will continue to be high and would likely represent a significant cost pressure to the authority over the coming years,’ continued the report.

‘In addition, following the covid pandemic we have seen a reduction in the number of people attending Day Opportunities via the Local Authority, with individuals preferring to utilise community assets.

‘The number of older people attending across Pembrokeshire has reduced from 207 to 76 whilst people with a learning disability has reduced from 127 to 69. This can also be attributable to people having developed new networks/opportunities and a move away from building based services.’

The report states that relocating services from Tenby’s Avenue Centre to the Lee Davies Day Centre in Narberth, and co-locating staff, means they can be used more flexibly and efficiently across locations which will reduce staffing costs within the service.

‘The reduction in service user numbers has been particularly acute in the Tenby area with as few as two service users attending on some days,’ continues the report.

The proposed relocation of service users and returning the vacant buildings to capital management will achieve the 2024/25 budget efficiency saving; SCH66 (amber) supporting a £130,000 budget saving.

The recommendation to cabinet is to proceed with the enabling the development of the north and south ‘hubs’ able to offer specialist complex support whilst moving away from outdated buildings that are no longer fit for purpose.

Ahead of Monday’s cabinet meeting, County councillor for Tenby’s North Ward, Cllr Michael Williams said the Avenue Centre had provided a ‘vital service’ to disadvantaged families.

Tenby harbour
Cllr Michael Williams said: “I fear there will be a huge outcry in the local community, as there was a couple of years ago when this was originally suggested.” (Observer pic)

“I was aware that the Centre was under review, but I fear there will be a huge outcry in the local community, as there was a couple of years ago when this was originally suggested,” he said.

“I hope that any alternative arrangements are discussed with the service users and their families, and a full consultation takes place, as this service provides a vital service to some seriously disadvantaged families, and provides an invaluable service.

“I am extremely disappointed that following the previous consultation, when serious deficiencies in the building were clearly known, no action has been taken to address the issues resulting in the building being left to deteriorate to such an extent that the authority now, possibly finds it being beyond repair. One suspects a deliberate policy,” he continued.

“This matter will be discussed on Monday in cabinet, but my first discussion with any cabinet member was this morning (January 4), which is a disgrace, and totally unacceptable, and puts my continued support of this administration in considerable jeopardy!

“I understand the enormous financial pressure PCC finds itself in, but it appears that the most vulnerable in society are going to once again having to bear the brunt of these cutbacks.

“I’m struggling to support cutbacks which are putting the most vulnerable in society under unbearable pressure, while PCC can still find money for vanity projects.

“Maybe now is the time to pull the plug on vanity items such as Haverfordwest airport to protect those most in need of our support?” added Cllr Williams.