The snap decision to close a centre for disabled children was condemned by councillors today.

Hertfordshire County Council met for a full meeting in the County Hall, Peggs Lane, Hertford today where they discussed the fate of Nascot Lawn Respite Centre.

The centre which looks after severely disabled children with high medical need is currently set to close on October 31.

Parents and staff at the facility were informed of the impending closure on June 16 and as yet no alternative provisions to look after the children have been put in place.

Nascot Lawn is currently funded by the Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and who have decided to close the centre, which costs £600,000 a year, in trying to find savings of £45 million as per the decree from NHS England.

A unanimous decision to try and delay the closure until March 31 when all children have been assessed for their need was agreed by councillors today.

The meeting was opened by parents David Joseph and Nikki Lancaster addressing the full council with heart-felt speeches about how this decision will impact the children affected.

The motion was put forward by Cllr Nigel Bell of Labour and was seconded by Liberal Democrat Cllr Mark Watkin in an unprecented display of cross-party unity.

Cllr Bell said: “One only has to start with the appalling failure by the CCG to consult with the parents and one can understand how the families have been so badly treated and the CCG failed in their duty of care.

“I am sure again that all 78 of us here could not fail to be moved by the genuinely heart rending accounts by parents and families of the experiences of the daily struggles to cope that they have highlighted in their campaign.

“Again we also think that while it is right that that the CCG should not “be let off the hook” we want and need to stress the REAL responsibility for this financial mess and emotional suffering families are going through lies squarely with the Government.”

Cllr Watkin said: “In taking the approach it did when it announced the withdrawal of support from the most vulnerable group in our society without consultation, Herts Valley CCG forfeited any right to sympathy over its financial crisis.

“Never in my time has a decision by any authority, be it local Government or Health, aroused such anger and outrage.

“This Council must not allow the HVCCG to think that it can just walk away from its duty of care and support for these children and their families.”