COUNCILLORS have been urged to unite cross-party and “do what is right” by ensuring a valuable respite centre for disabled young people is saved from the axe.

Worcestershire County Council has begun a consultation on the future of Ludlow Road Short Breaks Unit, in Kidderminster, with one possible option being its closure.

The centre offers a valuable service to families across the county, with parents from Bromsgrove voicing their concerns over its possible closure in the Advertiser last week.

Speaking at county hall on January 18, Kidderminster cllr Fran Oborski said she will bring the matter forward at Thursday’s Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

And Bromsgrove cllr Peter McDonald, who accused the council of “embarking on the road to closure” by opening the consultation, wants to see all parties unite.

Speaking after the meeting, he said: “We owe it to the children involved and to their families to do all we can to prevent the pain and suffering a premature closure would cause.

“The cabinet member responsible, Andy Roberts, was asked if he would work with scrutiny to examine other options. He said he would.

“I am looking forward to a new approach which will involve councillors from across the political divide, coming together to do what is right.”

Cllr Roberts, cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, admitted Ludlow is “under threat”, but insisted the consultation will be “proper and thorough”.

He added: “We will use the money that we have for our children’s services in the best possible way we can do to serve the children.”