Carers will have to wait longer for respite

When the use of Wells House, Epsom for children's respite care ended in December 2006, parents were told that a replacement facility would be provided in Banstead by September 2007. This has not yet happened, and when Cllr Colin Taylor (Lib Dem) asked the Executive Member for an update it was revealed that the new unit is now expected to open two years late in September 2009.

There will in due course be a new and improved facility at Chetwode in Burgh Heath, but meanwhile carers have had to make do with more limited respite at less convenient locations, in some cases provided at a far higher cost to council-tax payers, a situation that looks like continuing for a further year.

The children had to be moved from Wells House to make way for the Karibu children's home, which was being moved to make way for the relocation of Freemantles school, after difficulties over the site originally earmarked for the new Karibu home.

Karibu is now well established in Epsom, but the facilities at Ruth House located on the site of Freemantles School in Mayford Green will not be fully open until 2009.

Colin Taylor said "The whole saga has been characterised from the start by bad planning and a lack of any sense of urgency. However at my request the Executive Member has re-affirmed Surrey's promise to the long-suffering displaced carers that they will get top priority at the new Chetwode House facility when it does open".