Due to sustained low utilisation, rising costs and ongoing financial pressures, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet today (June 10, 2026) regretfully approved plans to close the in-house adult day centre service at Helena Lane, Ludlow. It is important to note that other services provided at Helena Lane will not be affected by this decision, and the building remains open as normal.
Shropshire Council is urging anyone affected by this decision to contact the adult social care team to arrange for a care act assessment and/or carers’ assessment.
This tough decision follows a thorough public consultation and recommendations by the council’s new Finance and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Cabinet agreed that very few people currently use the service, which has been the case for a prolonged period, making it no longer financially sustainable.
The service currently operates for 12 hours over the week with very low attendance. The forecast annual running cost of the service is £194,320, against forecast income of £24,582, leaving a net cost of £169,738. Cabinet concluded that this represents a high-cost service model that is not delivering value for money in its current form. The decision to close the adult day centre service at Helena Lane is part of Shropshire Council’s wider plans to transform services so that they provide best value for money and make best use of council facilities.
In reaching its decision, Cabinet considered not only the council’s severe financial pressures, but also its duties to support residents with eligible care needs and to take account of consultation feedback and equality impacts. While recognising the value that the service at Helena Lane has provided to users and to unpaid carers, Cabinet agreed that there is not currently a sufficiently developed and affordable redesign option that would make the service viable within a reasonable timeframe.
Councillor Ruth Houghton, portfolio holder for adult social care, said:
“This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and one we take with genuine sadness and regret, because we know how important the service at Helena Lane has been to the people who use it, and to their families and carers. We do not underestimate the impact this will have, and I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation to raise their concerns. I really wish we didn’t have to do this. However, Cabinet has had to consider the significant financial challenges facing the council and whether the current model is sustainable in the long term, given the low utilisation and high running costs.”
“I really want to stress that everyone affected by the closure will be supported through the offer of a comprehensive, person-centred care plan, with individual assessments. We’ll arrange alternative support where required so that needs continue to be met, and I am confident that they will be. We remain absolutely committed to listening to our residents and providing the care and support that meets people’s needs in the local area. Again, I’d like to stress that this is not a decision we want to take. Sadly, the council’s financial situation means that we have to make these difficult decisions.
“I would strongly urge everyone affected to take up the offer of a Care Act assessment – we may have agreed to close a service, but we remain absolutely committed to providing people with the care they need. That care will just be in a different way.”
The council will offer individual care planning and reassessment to all impacted people, and where appropriate will also offer carers’ assessments and financial assessments. These plans will consider each person’s circumstances in detail, including any personal care, supervision, mobility, transport or respite needs.
As part of this process, Shropshire Council will work with individuals and families to put suitable alternative support in place. This may include direct payments, personal assistants, commissioned care and supported access to community services, or other tailored arrangements designed to ensure eligible needs continue to be met.
Shropshire Council recognises that this will be a difficult change for people who currently rely on the service and for their carers. The council is committed to managing the transition carefully and compassionately,.
The building at Helena Lane and other services are not affected by this decision.
If you are affected by this change and wish to request a care needs assessment or get advice about adult social care in the county, you should contact the council directly:
- Phone: 0345 678 9044 (First Point of Contact team)
- Hours: Monday to Thursday (8:45 am to 5:00 pm) and Friday (8:45 am to 4:00 pm)
- Emergency Out-of-Hours: 0345 678 9040 (Emergency Social Work Team)
