A BROMSGROVE day centre for adults with learning disabilities has avoided closure – but a campaign to save it has sparked a bitter war of words.

More than 1,100 people signed a petition in support of the Wendron Centre after it was included in a consultation to review day services across the county.

But Conservatives at Worcestershire County Council say the site was never under threat, and described the Labour-led petition as “scaremongering”.

Confirming its future at cabinet on June 14, cllr Adrian Hardman, cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, said: “Labour have very sadly in my view acted in a slightly ill-judged, possibly even reckless manner.

“It then went ahead with a completely fake premise standing outside the Wendron Centre collecting signatures.

“We had to send staff out to talk to service users because they were so upset with what Labour were running, to reassure them that this was not the case [that it would close].

“In my political life it was actually one of the lowest points because of the absolute genuine distress and dismay that their actions caused in Bromsgrove.

“All they did was raise false fears and concerns over something that was never going to happen.”

Bromsgrove cllr Karen May, cabinet member for transformation and commissioning, added: “My postbag was full of people coming to me very concerned and on the High Street I was being met regarding the Wendron Centre issue.

“I was trying to reassure people but it is very difficult when you scaremonger people under those circumstances.

“The Wendron centre in Bromsgrove is a fantastic facility and is doing a wonderful job.”

The centre was one of seven ‘Connect’ sites that formed a consultation with service users and staff earlier this year, with the council targeting £600,000 savings for 2018/19.

As a result of the review, Connect Droitwich will be permanently moved to the Wendron Centre, while a formal consultation will now begin on the closure of Wyre Forest Connect, which could save the council between £100,000 to £200,000.

Campaigner Jimmy Knight, who collected signatures for Wendron, said after the meeting: “We know full well that Wendron was under threat and it is only because of the community support that this service was saved.”

Bromsgrove Labour cllr Peter McDonald added: “Residents were extremely concerned and fearful.

“We are quite pleased that Wendron will stay open, but I wouldn't be so pleased if I was representing Wyre Forest."