A public petition has been start to try and save a day centre for adults with learning difficulties.

Morley Tamblyn Lodge (MTL) is set to close by March 2010 under plans by Cornwall Council. Serious concerns were raised by carers and service users at the recent Mencap annual meeting. Jan Powell, a parent of a young person with a learning difficulty, said: 'I was shocked to hear the depth of anger levelled at Cornwall Council. Long term service users and carers clearly don't feel that they have any involvement in the current review of the service.  

'A vote of no confidence in the council was put forward, also a motion to ensure that Morley Tamblyn Lodge should not be closed until a full and fair consultation has taken place with all people and carers who use the service.'  

Carers

The centre, which opened nearly 30 years ago, has 58 service users and many say there has been a lack of consultation despite the council claiming it has consulted carers and those who attend the centre over the past two years.

The move, which is likely to save up to £450,000 to be reinvested in a new service, could see service users given individual budgets. Service users were 'devastated' after they were told the day centre, which has had thousands of pounds worth of refurbishments carried out in the last 12 months, would close.

Jan said: 'This is happening in your town under your noses to people who can not always stand up for themselves.

'We need to send a message to Cornwall Council that this is unacceptable and we will not simply be bystanders.'

Cornwall Council still hasn't secured a permanent building for service users to use, despite having a budget of £700,000 to use countywide on leasing and refurbishing spaces and no new centres will be built. There are also plans to close day centres in Redruth and St Austell by 2011.

People can sign the petition tomorrow outside Liskeard Post Office, which demands Morley Tamblyn Lodge is kept open 'until a honest and meaningful consultation has taken place and alternative services have been sourced, funded and put in place'. Former Caradon councillor Mike Critchley said: 'As a society we have to make the first and best provision we can for those disabled members of our community who need our help – some desperately. We look forward to a massive response to our petition on Saturday.'