THE leader of Wyre Forest's Labour Group said the closure of a Kidderminster day service would be a 'big loss' for vulnerable adults in Wyre Forest.

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet will be asked to approve plans to shut down the Wyre Forest Connect learning disability day service, based at the Swan Centre, at a meeting tomorrow morning (Thursday).

Labour councillor Nigel Knowles, whose wife Jenny is the legal guardian of a disabled adult, said: "I've never known the situation this bad.

"They've decided to close The Grange in Kidderminster and now this. It's the most vulnerable people being hit the hardest by these cutbacks.

"It will be a big loss for disabled people that use Wyre Forest Connect. What we're trying to do is add our weight to the claim to keep these services open."

From January to April 2018, a large-scale engagement exercise on all of Worcestershire's day services was carried out with service users, families, carers, staff and other stakeholders to explore options for the future delivery of the services.

Cabinet received a report in June 2018, which stated that Wyre Forest Connect had a financial sustainability gap of £154,000 a year, and was unlikely to ever become financially sustainable.

It went on to say that closing the centre would save the council between £100,000 and £200,000.

County cllr Adrian Hardman, cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, said Wyre Forest Connect is 'not proving good value for money'.

He said: "We know that over the years this service has been well used by vulnerable adults and their carers.

"But with only five people using the service now on a regular basis, it's not proving good value for money for the County Council.

"Also, there is lots of alternative provision available in the area that can better meet people's needs."

If plans are approved, the Blackwell Street service will close down next April.