Camden users win day centre battle

A group of mental health service users has overturned a council’s decision to close their day centre after taking the case to judicial review.

Camden Council in London signed a consent order at the High Court last week agreeing not to shut Jamestown day centre after the court was told it had not carried out a proper consultation.

The group of 22 acted after the council decided the centre should close as part of its best value review.

Saimo Chahal, a partner at solicitors Bindman and Partners, which represented the group, said: “The Jamestown users have proved a united and formidable force. The council should think twice before riding roughshod over their rights again.”

The council said it would make a final decision about the centre after formal consultation. It planned to close Jamestown in order to focus on vocational and one-to-one support services.