A decision on shutting three day centres should not be “pre-empted” amid a revamp of Anglesey’s provision for adults with learning disabilities, decision makers have been told.

With Anglesey Council planning to expand community based opportunities for people with various learning disabilities, councillors were asked to back a public consultation on shutting existing day centres at Morswyn in Holyhead as well as Llangoed’s Blaen y Coed and Gerddi Haulfre.

Meeting in Llangefni on Tuesday, members of the Partnerships and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee supported a general review of the current services on offer, but asked that any pre-emption over closing any centres should be ruled out.

Officers have proposed extending the current provision at Llangefni’s Gors Felen centre as well as a focus on “enhancing community based services,” “whilst ensuring that dedicated resources are in place to support those individuals with more complex physical and behavioural needs.”

This, the report noted, was hoped would “stimulate creativity and innovation that will enable us to transform the way services are delivered and respond to the anticipated increase in demand for services within challenging financial constraints.”

The closure of the three centres, which have a combined annual budget of £833,000, the report concluded, would also reduce the disparity in running costs as well as suitability and accessibility concerns.

But Cllr Alun Roberts warned that the report and proposed consultation based on its findings, was “pre-empting” the closure of the centres, two of which are in his own ward.

Adding that it “left a sour taste” in his mouth, he told members: “It’s right that we have an open discussion over the future of the service, but approaching it from being on the back foot and having to defend out existing centres is not the right way to do it.

“You must take the threat of closure away, and only then can we have a frank and open discussion.”

The report confirmed that Gerddi Haulfre was used by 11 people a week, Morswyn by 21 and Gors Felen and Blaen y Coed by 24.

Members were told that any closure of centres would be gradual and over a “three or four year period,” with the aim of securing a service that was fit for purpose.

But Cllr Lewis Davies condemned the plans, adding: “Holyhead is the largest town on the island but we are being given the excuse that the building (Morswyn) is old and unfit. Whose fault is that?

“Gerddi Haulfre has been going for 30 years and Blaen y Coed was only opened a decade ago, is there a lack of community conscience here?

“The Seiriol ward are up in arms against this, and I feel that what’s being proposed is a huge mistake by officers.”

But the council leader, Llinos Medi, said that the vision was to provide a fair service for all and to support service users and their families across the island.

“Our principles are clear, to offer a service for very special people who haven’t been at the forefront of such discussions in the past,” she added.

“We do offer a good service but not everyone is currently being able to access it as what’s on offer is not suitable for everyone. We want to be inclusive.”

A formal consultation will be launched if approved by the council’s Executive when it meets on Monday.