Plans to end Wrexham disabled children service dropped

Plans have been dropped to save £31,000 by ending a service providing free care for disabled children as part of a £5m cuts programme.

Wrexham council had wanted to cut the school holidays Daybreak service.

One councillor, Mark Pritchard, who had criticised the plan as making him feel sick, said he was delighted and would prefer cuts in management to services.

The council said the plans had been removed from the 2010/11 savings plans, and has ordered a review of services.

The Daybreak scheme provides free care for disabled children and their siblings for up to eight hours per week during school holidays.

I think common sense has prevailed, and most importantly I'm delighted that these children and their parents will be able to continue to enjoy their holidays now Mark Pritchard, councillor

Carol Gardner, charity manager of Dynamic, which provides the service, said: "Obviously, we're very pleased for the short-term security and we look forward to a full review of services for children with disabilities.

"That review is long overdue, and hopefully it will bring increased services for the children and their services."

The decision to drop the proposals was made at a meeting of the council's executive board on Tuesday.

Mr Pritchard said: "Myself and councillor David Bithell put forward a motion to remove the budget pressure from this scheme for 2010/11.

"I would like to thank all the other councillors who supported us.

"I think common sense has prevailed, and most importantly I'm delighted that these children and their parents will be able to continue to enjoy their holidays now.

"I've said from day one that the financial climate we're in means it's tough out there. But I would rather see a thinner management structure than cutting frontline services."

He said the proposals could be raised again as potential savings in the future, but said he would "fight that as well".

The board also decided to drop plans to transfer the provision of respite and care services from Nant Silyn Care Home.

The future of the care home will also be reviewed by April, the council said.

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