WITHAM could lose out on vital help for people with learning disabilities if a service is moved out of town.

The Witham Wellbeing Centre in Newland Street could be moved to Braintree if no alternative venue is found.

Families using the service raised concerns about the lack of staff and limited space for activities.

ECL, the company running the service on behalf of Essex County Council, said there was no alternative building to house it, and suggested moving it out of town.

The drop-in centre leased by ECL, which was previously a shop, provides a safe place for vulnerable people with both physical and mental health problems.

Peter Brown, from the Braintree District Local Action Group, raised concerns about losing the service.

He said: "ECL has maintained there is no other suitable property in Witham and have floated the idea of bringing people to Braintree, which a significant amount of people in Witham are against."

"Witham parents challenged the assertion there were no other premises in the town which could be used.

"If ECL continue to argue they are unable to offer an improved service in Witham, it seems a public consultation will have to take place.

"Is it cynical to ask whether a resolution of this matter is being led by financial considerations, rather than a concern for the welfare of people who use the centre?"

At a meeting of the action group last month, a representative from the County Council said assessments had been carried out with people who use the Witham service, who said they wanted it to stay there.

Eddie Seabourn, whose daughter Sarah attends the centre, said parents had suggested a portacabin or an empty space in Newlands Shopping Centre.

He said: "It's just an inadequate building, there's about 16 users and only one toilet.

"There should be three carers at a time but there never is, they used to get to go out with staff but they aren't able to any more.

"We feel sorry for the staff that are there as they do work hard, but people stop coming because they are bored of sitting around doing nothing."

Ann and Bill Hayes, whose daughter Nicola also attends the centre, say they will not give up fighting to keep the centre in Witham.

Mrs Hayes said: "Our daughter is in a wheelchair and she has to ask for help to go to the toilet as she cannot push herself over the ramp in the building.

"She also wouldn't be able to get out the front door if there was a fire in the back as there are two steps there that lead onto a main road.

"We are not going to give up, these people are entitled to this service and they cannot speak for themselves so we will do it for them and we are determined."

David Finch, leader of Essex County Council, said: “Essex Cares Limited has proposed to close the Witham Day Centre as the building is no longer fit for purpose.

“After speaking with all 16 people in question, the majority have told us they want to access this service locally in Witham, and we have been working with ECL to try and make this possible.

"We have asked ECL to produce a proposal by the end of April, which will then be discussed with the Local Action Group at their next meeting in May."