A CONTROVERSIAL decision to axe a day centre for the elderly is expected to be rubber-stamped at a town hall meeting tonight.

Leading councillors will consider whether to close Crownfield Day Centre, in Crownfield Road, Leytonstone.

The centre provides care and support to elderly people who want to continue living at home. It specialises in dementia care and arranges a wide range of activities including outings and shopping trips.

But the council says it needs to to close the facility - the cost of running it went over budget by more than £100,000 last year - to meet new government guidelines for the “personalisation” of services.

Instead of being referred to Crownfield Day Centre by the council, patients will receive funding enabling them to choose their care providers.

This, says the council, will give service users more flexibility and choice.

The centre's dementia support services will move to a new resource centre in Essex Hall, Billet Road, Walthamstow.

The move is opposed by most of the 20 remaining Crownfield service users, who are content with the service the centre currently provides, while the union Unison has also expressed concern.

Tonight's cabinet meeting is due to begin at 7.30pm.