FAMILIES of vulnerable people in Hull have been given a glimmer of hope that threatened day centres may be saved.
Plans to shut nine day centres for adults with learning disabilities and special needs have now been put on hold.
Hull City Council had planned to close Bespoke, Bilton Grange, Costello, Enfield Court, Ings, Maurice Rawlings, North Bransholme, The Orchard and Pickering to save money.
But after an impassioned speech from Lisa Anderson, whose aunt attends Bilton Grange, members at yesterday's full council meeting voted to refer the issue of day centre funding to cabinet.
The councillors were also given a 975-name petition objecting to the cuts at Bilton Grange.
Mrs Anderson told the meeting: "If we want to remain a civilised society, we not only have a legal but also a moral duty of care to these very special people.
"They certainly didn't have any responsibility for the financial crisis that led to the cuts and they should not have to pay for it."
Conservative group leader Councillor John Fareham said he was unhappy over the consultation
process, while Labour's deputy leader Councillor Daren Hale said: "Closing these centres is not the right thing to do."
Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Anderson said: "I am happy they have at least decided to look at it again.
"Keeping this in the public eye is half the battle."
But the decision is still being met with some scepticism, as cabinet could still push ahead with the closures.
Trevor Williamson, whose two stepchildren attend Ings Resource Centre, said: "We are being passed from pillar to post and still don't know what is going on. I don't think
holding it off for cabinet will make any difference.
"They think they can run a bulldozer over these vulnerable people and it won't make a difference, but it will."
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