COUNCILLORS have been warned they will be "derelict in their duty" if they oversee the planned closure of a children's respite centre in Hereford.

Cllr Liz Harvey said No. 1 Ledbury Road is crucial to the youngsters with complex health needs who use it.

The service has controversially been earmarked for closure next March in favour of a community foster scheme.

Some of the parents of children attending No. 1 say they were not consulted, and fear the foster idea would not work.

Cllr Harvey told a meeting of full council at Hereford Shirehall this morning that the facility was important, not just for the children who benefit from it.

"It is essential that the families of these children are given access to the kind of respite services which enable them to function as a family," said the It's Our County member.

"This is not only for the children but also for the other members of their family.

"These children are currently able to socialise with their peers. That is a human right that they are able to make friends and spend time with them.

"This is a facility that for some families is the only option.

"If you destroy this as an option for families who have nowhere else to go, we are derelict in our duty.

"This service is being dismantled through the feet of those who use it, and that is wrong."

The lengthy debate came during a notice of motion submitted by Cllr Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes asking councillors to request to council bosses that they retain the option of professionally staffed respite care in Herefordshire and beyond.

The motion, which was overwhelmingly supported, also asked the council's executive to include parents and carers in all stages of any change programme, and consider the recommendations of a council body currently looking into respite care provision.

At the start of the meeting, a near-4,000 signature petition was handed to council chairman, Cllr Brian Wilcox, by concerned parents and carers.

Council leader Cllr Tony Johnson said the council commissions the service but it is provided by other bodies.

Addressing the public gallery he said: "I can assure you that this council is doing its level best to resolve a situation that we are not entirely in command of."

Cllr Jonathan Lester, the cabinet member for young people and children's wellbeing, told the meeting No. 1 could remain open subject to staffing and resources, adding the council is already developing alternatives to residential respite care "if that is what the child needs".

He received support from Cllr Alan Seldon who said the Wye Valley NHS Trust and Clinical Commissioning Group, the other two bodies involved in No.1, were behaving as though they are unaccountable.

"Cllr Lester is left as the public scapegoat as he is carrying the can for other bodies, and that is not right," he said.