West Berkshire Council has announced that it will no longer proceed with the planned closure or outsourcing of three adult care resource centres—Greenfield House in Calcot, Hungerford Resource Centre, and The Phoenix Centre in Newbury. The decision was confirmed at the Council’s executive committee meeting on 25 September.
Originally proposed as a cost-saving measure, the plans were met with widespread opposition from service users, families, and staff. The three centres provide vital support for adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and dementia, and their potential loss sparked deep concern across the community.
The U-turn follows a UNISON campaign. A petition backed by 1,500 West Berkshire residents was presented to local councillors by the union, and staff at the centres have worked tirelessly to make the case for saving these much loved and well utilised community services.
UNISON South East head of local government Kieran Pearson said: “It’s been an extremely stressful year for staff and service users, with the threat of changes hanging over their heads. Staff will be relieved today, and pleased that they can get on with their important jobs looking after vulnerable adults instead of worrying about the future.
“Staff at the centres stood up not just for their jobs, but for the people in the community they care for every day. This is a huge win for residents of West Berkshire and shows what working together in UNISON can achieve.”
