COUNCILLORS proposing to close a Kidderminster respite centre for disabled children have been accused of adding to the distress of families in a damning report.

Scrutiny Task Group will present its highly critical report to Worcestershire County Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday (April 26) slamming the consultation process over the future of Ludlow Road Short Breaks Centre.

The report – which came after the proposal was ‘called in’ for scrutiny - described the consultation as “haphazard and confused” and believes any final decision could be open to challenge. It also said likely cost savings from implementing the proposals are not clear.

Kidderminster councillor and Task Group chairman Fran Oborski said she was impressed by the courage shown by parents and carers but added the authority may have added to the stress they were facing as a result of Ludlow Road’s uncertain future.

In her conclusion, she said the group felt it was “impossible to have either full understanding or confidence in the process”.

A final decision on Ludlow Road is now expected to be made in June.

The authority held a consultation into the future of Ludlow Road – which the Health and Care Trust runs on its behalf through £618,000 council funding - earlier this year with one option being to axe it.

But the news caused dismay amongst the families of disabled children and young people who use it and sparked a high profile campaign to save it, led by Wyre Forest Labour.

In its report, the Task Group has set out a series of recommendations for the authority to consider implementing. These are:

*Referring the final decision to a public cabinet meeting rather than a delegated decision to ensure greater transparency.

*Adopt a ‘pre-consultation engagement process’ across the council to enable them to have a better understanding of the needs of users before making any significant changes to a service.

*Carry out a review to improve its partnership working with the Health and Care Trust and other service providers.

*Start the ‘pre-consultation’ period as soon as service changes become a possibility to ensure full consultations are not rushed.

*Ensure a consistent approach to engaging with service users to ensure full impact can be understood.

*Ensure consultation proposals are supported by “clear, concise, accurate and understandable relevant supporting information.

*This consultation should result in a short breaks service that is stable, resilient and responsive and not under constant review.

Councillor Oborski said: “It has become very clear that there are serious inconsistencies in the way in which the County Council carries out “public consultations” and I feel strongly that it is imperative that, as a Council, we adopt an open, consistent and transparent policy in order that the public can have greater confidence in us.

“Throughout the process I have been impressed by the courage and persistence of the parents and carers we have met, particularly those who use Ludlow Rd.

“I am really saddened that actions of Worcestershire County Council could be perceived as having added to the stress and concerns already experienced by these very vulnerable families.

“I hope that lessons will be learnt and that our recommendations will be put into practice.”

Wyre Forest Labour's Stephen Brown added: "I doubt this damning report on the proposals and consultation would have happened without the hard hitting parents campaign, vigorously supported by us.

"I'm pleased Fran in organising this report has come around to the parents point of view on this and highlighted the absolute shambles this proposal and its consultation represents."

The council has previously said all responses received in the consultation on Ludlow Road are being reviewed prior to a final decision being made.