THE Mayor of Wellington has warned that ‘abject despair’ will be forced on people if Somerset County Council scraps a scheme which provides support and services for children and their families.

County Hall has plans to do away with a number of initiatives under the getset service in Somerset and that would mean Wellington losing a drop-in session at the library on a Thursday and a ‘stay, play and learn’ session at the Methodist Church on a Tuesday.

The age group most largely affected by the proposals would be up to four years and families who are in need of a ‘little extra help’.

The county council has said that other agencies such as healthcare providers or nurseries would remain in place to help support families.

But that has failed to impress members of Wellington Town Council who fear that the loss of getset will be another blow for the area.

The Mayor, Cllr Gary James, said: “I will be writing to the county council to express our disappointment. This is going to cause abject despair for some people in our community.”

Cllr Andy Govier said: “It is a very disappointing and retrograde step by Somerset County Council, in my opinion.

“The ‘little support’ the getset scheme provides is very important. Getset has made a difference and now the county council wants to turn the tap off.

“The early prevention of problems is much better than cure. It’s another loss of service to the town.”

Cllr Ben Shepherd added: “This is complete madness to me.”

Cllr Mark Lithgow added: “It’s disgraceful. Somerset County Council talks about ‘better signposting’ to other services – but the council has been cutting those services. Those places aren’t there.”

Councillors have urged people to take part in a public consultation about the proposals and to voice their opposition.

Documents explaining the proposals are online at www.somerset.gov.uk/getsetconsultation, along with a questionnaire for people to give their views.

The county council’s spokesman for children and families, Cllr Frances Nicholson, said: “We have already had lots of responses but we’re really keen that everyone with an interest takes the opportunity to share their views so they can be taken into account when a decision is made next year.”

The closing date for consultation responses is 5pm on Monday, December 31.