BRIDPORT’S youth centre and the level of care provided at the Sidney Gale old people’s residential home must be saved at all costs, say town councillors.

As local people are being given the chance to have their say on adult social care services, members of the environment and social wellbeing committee vowed to oppose any reduction in the level of care provided by the county council.

And they urged the authority to keep the youth centre in Gundry Lane, which has a question mark over its future.

Coun Ros Kayes said she believed that an option being considered would mean that the care currently provided at the 44-bed Sidney Gale House would be provided in the private sector.

“That is not good enough,” she said.

“Most people there are Bridport-based or have a relatively low income.

“Private homes can be extortionately expensive and I am not convinced that building a private home in this community is right.”

Coun Kayes also said that the future of the youth centre could be in doubt.

“It is imperative that we keep the centre – we cannot lose that facility. There are lines which must not be crossed,” she added.

The county council has already announced that it is looking at all its facilities and operations in the town and plans a £4.7million investment including a new shared ‘hub’ building.

Dorset County Council hosted an initial workshop at Bridport Town Hall to help identify local priorities.

Local carers, health and social care professionals, community groups and service users all gave their views on how services could be developed in the future.

Children’s services in the town were also considered to help make the best use of available county council resources.

The findings will help shape proposals for the future of day centres, residential care for older people and support for people to stay healthy and independent in the community for as long as possible.

Public consultation sessions begin on September 23 at the Salt House, West Bay, and continue on September 26 at the town hall from 4pm to 8pm, with an information table in Bucky Doo Square on September 28.