Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats Demand County Council Support from HCC to Bridge Current Funding Gap

Liberal Democrat Herts County Councillor Mark Watkin, Opposition Spokesperson for Children's Services, has tabled the following motion about the proposed closure of Nascot Lawn Childrens Respite and Care Centre.

It will be debated at the next meeting of the County Council in support of a petition which will be presented by parents and families. The high quality respite services provided by Nascot Lawn are a lifeline for those who are caring at home for a child or sibling with complex needs who are dependant on the services.

They were distraught to learn recently that the Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group is withdrawing funding which will force the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust to shut Nascot Lawn down at the end of October.

Mark Watkin commented,

"The Government is talking about easing austerity. This cannot happen soon enough. The closure of Nascot Lawn is entirely due to the Government's insistence that the Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group reduce their expenditure by £45m p.a. In these circumstances it always seem to be the most vulnerable that suffer first and worst. While we wait for the Government to change its tune, the County Council must dip into its £3m underspend from last year to keep Nascot Lawn going until it has had sufficient time to assess how best to serve the needs of this group."

It is expected that the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Group on HCC will be finalising a joint motion which both can support. They are hoping that the majority Conservative Group will also be able to support the motion - which would sent a strong signal to the Government that NHS funding must be restored to maintain this essential respite service so valued by carers and young people alike.