CAMPAIGNERS battling to save Spalding’s Chappell Centre from the axe will demonstrate with placards on Tuesday when county councillors decide its fate.
Parents and carers have won a partial victory with council bosses now saying day care services could continue to run in the same buildings and be supported by existing staff or private firms.
On Tuesday Maurice Chappell and Michael Lee formally presented a 5,800 signature petition to the Adult Scrutiny Committee and sought assurances on the long-term future of The Chappell Centre.
They want the county council to choose a reputable provider – and pick up the pieces if any private operator fails or tries to pull out at a later stage so the centre stays open for good.
They also want executive councillor Graham Marsh to stick to his original pledge that no service will close until something as good or better is put in its place.
Mr Chappell told the Adult Scrutiny Committee: “Recent events of some private providers do not exactly fill one with confidence. The Southern Cross case is a classic example – another is Winterbourne View, a private hospital where several members of staff were found guilty of abusing people with a learning disability.”
Mr Lee will attend Tuesday’s protest to underline the parents’ strength of feeling.
He said: “Hopefully there will be some placards. If anyone wants to come along they will be more than welcome.”