Agenda item

Councillor Keane Duncan presented the petition to the Committee.

 

Members were advised that the Save Cauwood petition had attracted 1,855 signatures and sought to protect the Cauwood service, either within its current building or a suitable replacement facility, and to safeguard specialist day care provision in Ryedale.

 

The campaign had focused on preserving the service, its specialist care provision, trusted staff and local accessibility, rather than solely retaining the existing Cauwood building. Campaigners had recognised from the outset that a suitable alternative premises could meet the needs of service users.

 

At that time of the Executive report considered in April 2025 regarding the proposed closure of Cauwood, no replacement building had been identified, and concerns had been raised regarding the future location of staff and the potential for redundancies. Families had expressed significant concern and the Executive agreed to pause the process and undertake consultation before reaching a final decision.

 

Councillor Duncan welcomed the consultation and the contributions of families, staff and the wider community, as well as the cross-party support received from councillors, town and parish councils and the local Member of Parliament.

 

The revised Executive report recommended closure of the existing Cauwood building, that the Cauwood service itself would continue from a new building-based facility in the Ryedale area, specifically Malton, retaining the Cauwood name and with the intention that the existing staff team would continue to deliver the service. This was welcomed as a positive development which would preserve the service, its identity, staff and specialist care provision.

 

It was suggested that the Committee recommend to the Executive that:

 

1.     Supports the action requested within the petition, namely “to protect the service Cauwood provides - whether in its current building or a suitable new one”

2.     Recognises the positive additions in the new executive report and commitment to a new Cauwood building following the consultation and community campaign

3.     Requests the Executive strengthens the recommendations to make it expressly clear that the current Cauwood building will remain open until an alternative site in the Ryedale area has been identified, is demonstrated to have the support of service users and their families, and is fully operational to guarantee the continuity of quality care

4.     Seeks assurance that any replacement provision delivers an equivalent (or improved) service, retains local access to a Changing Places facility, and ensures there is no reduction in the safety, dignity, accessibility or quality of care experienced by current service users

 

The campaign had begun out of concern that the Cauwood service would be lost altogether. The revised proposals were welcomed as providing reassurance that, while the building may change, the service itself would continue, subject to the safeguards outlined above.

 

Councillor Mason proposed the following amendment to point 4 of the recommendation:

 

1. Seeks assurance that any replacement provision delivers equivalent (or improved) facilities and services, that the level of accreditation currently held by Cauwood is maintained, retains local access to a Changing Places facility, and ensures there is no reduction in the safety, dignity, accessibility or quality of care experienced by current service users.

 

Caroline Garrod, Stuart Moss, Di Keal and Lisa Keenan from Ryedale Special Families spoke, and Mencap supplied a statement, in support of the petition

 

Officers advised that the service provided bespoke services for clients and assurances were given that appropriate building-based, community-based and outdoor provision would be available according to individual needs. It was further confirmed that the Cauwood building would not close until replacement provision was in place and families and service users were satisfied with the arrangements.

 

A suitable location had been identified and discussions were taking place with a local provider.

 

Members sought reassurance that the proposal represented an enhancement of the service rather than simply providing alternative accommodation. It was explained that Cauwood provided a specialist service and that the intention was to develop a more flexible offer combining building-based provision, community activities and support delivered in people’s homes where appropriate. Officers stated that the aim was to expand the range of opportunities available and enable more people to benefit from the Cauwood service in future.

 

Concern was raised regarding the loss of the existing Changing Places facility at Cauwood. It was advised that the current facility required significant repair. Officers stated their ambition to provide equivalent facilities within Malton, potentially as part of future Extra Care development, whilst considering alternative arrangements in the interim.

 

Members queried whether any alternative facility would maintain the current level of autism accreditation. Officers advised that the accreditation related to the service itself rather than the physical building. Assurance was given that suitable premises would be secured and that the Council would seek to retain the existing accreditation as part of the future currently service.

 

Officers confirmed that the intention was for Cauwood to continue as a North Yorkshire Council-run service. It was also intended that existing staff, who were trusted and experienced in supporting current service users, would be retained wherever possible.

 

Decision (unanimous)

 

The Committee recommends to the Executive that it:

 

1.     Supports the action requested within the petition, namely “to protect the service Cauwood provides - whether in its current building or a suitable new one”

2.     Recognises the positive additions in the new Executive report and commitment to a new Cauwood building following the consultation and community campaign

3.     Requests the Executive strengthens the recommendations to make it expressly clear that the current Cauwood building will remain open until an alternative site in the Ryedale area has been identified, is demonstrated to have the support of service users and their families, and is fully operational to guarantee the continuity of quality care

4. Seeks assurance that any replacement provision delivers equivalent (or improved) facilities and services, that the level of accreditation currently held by Cauwood is maintained, retains local access to a Changing Places facility, and ensures there is no reduction in the safety, dignity, accessibility or quality of care experienced by current service users.