The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that Vale View Day Centre provides care and activities for older adults and supports their carers and families by giving carers time for themselves; further notes Lancashire County Council is running a consultation on the future of this service; further declares that this service is deeply valued by local residents across North Lancashire as reflected by comments in local media.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to make representations to Lancashire County Council to protect users of adult social care in Lancashire, and encourage the Council not to close Vale View Day Centre.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Cat Smith, Official Report, 18 November 2025; Vol. 775, c. 746.]
[P003128]
A petition in the same terms was presented by the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (Lizzi Collinge) [P003132].
Observations from the Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock): I fully recognise the pivotal role that adult social care plays in nurturing local communities and in helping people live as independent and fulfilling lives as possible. I also appreciate how significant these services are for those who rely on them, as well as for their families and carers. It is therefore essential that any closure of adult social care services is handled with the utmost sensitivity and care.
I met my hon. Friend the Member for Hyndburn (Sarah Smith) and other local MPs on Wednesday 26 November 2025, with a follow-up meeting—which included an official from the Department of Health and Social Care—taking place on Wednesday 17 December 2025.
The meetings focused on Lancashire county council’s consultation on the future of 10 adult social care services (including Vale View), set within the local authority’s statutory duty to shape the adult social care market and ensure the long-term availability of a diverse range of care and support options.
Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the care needs of their residents and to develop and build that local market capacity. In doing so, I expect that the local authority will continue to fulfil that statutory duty, and support those impacted by any resulting closures.
A local authority, having determined that individuals have eligible needs under the Care Act 2014, must ensure those needs continue to be met, including where provision changes or is brought to an end. Local authorities should consult with impacted individuals on the suitability of their living accommodation and must have regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs.