Update on the results of the Better Lives in our Communities consultation

Councillor Angela Macpherson, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health said:

"I am pleased that common sense triumphed today (26 February) at the full Council meeting, and the suggested amendment was decisively voted against. This is a clear testament that, despite the misleading information circulated about the consultation and the rationale behind including this crucial issue in the budget for 25/26, the majority of our Councillors truly grasp the importance of our mission and have voted accordingly."

Despite what you may have heard, no final decisions have yet been made. I also want to reassure you all that we will continue to meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents whilst we make these important decisions.

Buckinghamshire Council consulted with the public from 15 October 2024 to 31 January 2025 on how best to address the challenges facing our adult social care service when it comes to how we best deliver day opportunities and overnight respite services To ensure full consideration is given to the feedback received it is now planned that the Council’s Cabinet will make a decision in late summer 2025, rather than June as originally intended.

The Better Lives in our Communities consultation was due to close on 7 January 2025 but it was extended to allow more time for feedback.​​ We would like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute to the consultation and provide much valued feedback and comments on the proposals.

Feedback was received through the following channels:

• email responses to a dedicated mailbox
• a survey that was available online through Your Voice Bucks and via paper/post
• Easy Read surveys available at each day centre
• nine service user/family and carer events held in person at the in-house day centres and overnight respite unit
• two online events (one open to the public, one for service users/family and carers)
• telephone responses where the respondent requested that their response was noted for recording as a consultation response

We received over 600 consultation responses, as well as feedback from the events held.

We recognise the concerns raised by those directly affected by the proposed closures of sites and the need to ensure continuing access to the right specialist, high quality care and support services, as well as the need to ensure that this is locally available.

A detailed analysis of all responses and feedback will be carried out and a consultation findings report will be prepared. This report will go forward to the council’s Cabinet in late summer for consideration, alongside a proposed service model for day opportunities and overnight respite.

Cabinet meetings are webcast and papers for these meetings are published online. The supporting papers that will be published as part of this decision item will include the consultation findings and an equality impact assessment.

We will update the consultation page on our website once the decision is made later this year - Your Voice Bucks - Citizen Space.”