COUNCILLORS are united in their decision to try and challenge cuts to a “beloved” centre for disabled children.

Watford Borough Council’s representatives met on Tuesday and voted unanimously to try and do everything in their power to save Nascot Lawn Respite Centre from closing.

The Langley Road is a lifeline for parents who rely on it – but they received a letter from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) last month saying it would shut in October without consultation.

The full council meeting saw impassioned pleas from councillors speaking about the “importance” of the centre.

The motion was proposed by Nascot Councillor Mark Hofman, Liberal Democrat representative, who said: “Any decent caring society would value this service. We must work together to protect the most vulnerable people in our society.”

It was seconded by Labour’s Cllr Asif Khan, of Leggatts ward.

He told the meeting: “There are some things that are beyond politics. It is about doing the right thing.

“One of those things is to ensure the most vulnerable are protected and supported.

“If 10 DUP MP’s can gain £1 billion to end austerity in Northern Ireland, then I’m sure the collective will of 11 Conservative MP’s of Hertfordshire can secure the funding for the beloved centre.”

There was a great deal of support from both sides of the chamber, as others spoke up in defence of Nascot Lawn.

Cllr Mark Watkin of Nascot ward said: “I don’t think I can remember a motion I have been more moved by than this one.

“The problem with the CCG is that it does not have the relationship with the families, and it is an exercise in cutting costs.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Peter Taylor of Oxhey ward spoke of family friends who rely on the service and were devastated to receive news of its closure.

He said: “For them to be told one morning without any consultation is shocking.

“The way we as a society are treating these children beggars belief.”

Cllr Karen Collett of Woodside ward said: “This is a tragedy and we cannot let this happen. The money we pay in taxes should be for humans and to take care of human life.”

Baroness Sal Brinton addressed the issue in her response to the Queen’s Speech.

She said: “Friends of ours have survived—I choose my words carefully—because of the respite care offered by Nascot Lawn.

“These children are so sick that they cannot even go to children’s hospices for care.

“Parents say, and I am sure they are right, that it is likely to cost the NHS much more money in the longer run.

“I also believe that it breaches their child’s rights and, what is more, their rights as carers, working all day and all night, and nursing their children all their lives.”

She will be discussing the issue with the House of Lord’s Secretary of State for Health Lord O’Shaughnessy in a meeting next week.

However, the Herts Valley CCG seem intent on pushing through with the decision to cut funding as part of the plan to save £45 million.

Herts Valley CCG Kathryn Magson said at a health and wellbeing panel at St Albans District Council: “We should not have been funding respite services.

“We are doing our utmost to ensure families are transitioned to services jointly with the county council, but I must make it absolutely clear the NHS is under extreme financial pressure.”

The motion will be put forward at the full county meeting on Tuesday by head of Watford’s Labour group Nigel Bell, and the full petition numbering more than 13,000 signatures will be presented.

At the full council meeting on Tuesday Cllr Bell said: “Our MP Richard Harrington needs to do more than the normal weasel words we normally hear from him.”