LESS than a quarter of consultation respondents agreed with plans to centralize Buckinghamshire's day centre services – but council bosses stressed “no change is not an option”.

Buckinghamshire County Council plans to close and sell off about 20 day centres, providing four or five new or refurbished facilities instead.

About 800 people filled in the consultation documents published by the council earlier this year.

Of the responders, 23 per cent agreed with the plan, with 42 per cent disagreeing. Eleven per cent did not answer the question while 24 percent said they were 'not sure'. (See link below for full results)

The report also acknowledged the thousands of signatures contained in petitions opposing the closure of day centres in Bourne End, Beaconsfield and Princes Risborough.

Councillor Tricia Birchley, in charge of the plans, said this afternoon the consultation was "not a referendum”.

She told a press conference at county hall that changes have to be made, given that her Family and Wellbeing department has to save £2.5 million per year from its £11 million budget.

But Cllr Birchley said there was hope for those day centres which could prove they could be 'run by the community'.

She said: “That was something we hadn't necessarily envisaged... and it fits in with the Government's 'Big Society'. If they can come up with a proper sustainable plan to take over those services themselves we'll be pleased to talk to them.”

She said proposals which are robust, appropriate and sustainable would be given serious consideration.

Villagers in Bourne End have already held discussions about taking over their centre in Wakeman Road. Though it is council property residents raised £45,000 in the 1980s to help build it.

Cllr Birchley said day services have to change because many of the centres are in disrepair, while people's needs are becoming more complex and there is an 'ageing population'.

The move will see day services based less around buildings, she said, with some more able users encouraged to have more of an active role in society.

She said other public facilities, such as community centres and libraries, would be used to provide alternative places for elderly people and those with learning difficulties to meet.

The county's 22 day centres are valued together at £18 million and their sale would pay for new facilities, which would be in High Wycombe, Aylesbury and possibly the Amersham/Chesham area, Buckingham and Burnham.

The council will now prepare the 'business case' for the proposals.

Cllr Birchley said: “I can reassure all those involved that all the concerns raised will be used to inform the plans.”