WYRE Forest Connect long-term disability day care centre will close next April, following a vote at County Hall this morning.

Cabinet members voted in support of plans to shut down the service, based at Kidderminster's Swan Centre, agreeing the centre was 'barely used' and 'not value for money'.

County cllr Adrian Hardman, cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, said: "Up until now I am not aware of any emails or phone calls objecting to the closure of Wyre Forest Connect.

"I imagine this is partly because it has some five users.

"We had absolutely no response from any of the key shareholders and as formal consultations go, this has been one of the quietest ones I have ever known.

"We have engaged with services users at length and they are happy with the alternative provision that we are going to suggest for them."

Cllr Hardman criticised Wyre Forest Labour leader Nigel Knowles for speaking out 'very late' against the service's closure.

Cabinet member and Wyre Forest District cllr Marcus Hart said the council 'has to consider the value for money element', adding: "There are some great alternative providers in the Wyre Forest community, including the Odell Centre and the Emily Jordan Foundation to name just two."

Cllr Fran Oborski, fellow cabinet member and Wyre Forest District Council ward member for Offmore and Comberton, added: "I have no doubt that usage of Wyre Forest Connect is absolutely minimal and do know a couple of people who have made use of it and they are perfectly happy that there are other facilities available.

"This is a value for money decision that has to be made."

A report presented to cabinet in June stated that Wyre Forest Connect had a financial stability gap of £154,000 a year, and said closing the centre would save the council between £100,000 and £200,000.