Open email to Debbie Ward, Adult & Community Services Director, DCC

Two questions: At the consultation meeting on the future of Day Centre Services, held in Swanage on August 24, some local councillors who attended complained that the letter inviting them to the meeting had only that morning dropped through their letter boxes. They were convinced that with proper advance notice, many more councillors would have attended, and requested that a second meeting be held with sufficient notice.

Could you please let us know if that has been arranged?

Similarly, residents in the west of our area were distressed that they would be expected to travel from Lyme, Bridport and Beaminster to the Dorchester meeting.

Whilst you did hold some meetings with carers in these centres in August, surely the consultation must be open to the wider public. Any one of us might need these services in future years.

The decision is not just about this year or next. Once out of local authority hands, the day centres will be handed over for good.

What solution are you proposing to include everyone in the half of the county west of Dorchester, in a proper local consultation please?

Vicki Black

Chairman Dorchester and District Labour Party