A DESPERATE bid to stall huge cuts for vital trips and activities for Hampshire’s disabled children has failed – despite emotional pleas from families.

Their heartfelt appeals to county council bosses fell on deaf ears as the consultation into controversial plans to slash almost £2m from the Short Breaks scheme, which provides respite for parents, was given the go-ahead.

It is feared this move could lead to parents receiving less respite, placing impossible strain on them and risking breaking up families and some children going into care.

The cost-cutting plans were brought before a cross-party scrutiny committee so they could vote on whether the cuts consultation should be postponed.

Seven county councillors from UKIP, Liberal Democrat and Labour groups voted to halt the statutory feedback exercise for now.

However, they were outvoted after councillors belonging to the ruling Conservative group closed ranks and voted to press ahead with a 12-week process, which began on Friday.

The consultation will look at whether to slash the Short Breaks funding from £2.8m to £1m next year, with children’s services boss Councillor Keith Mans making his final decision in January.

The knockback followed passionate pleas from parents and councillors.

One Labour councillor, Chris Connor, even got down on one knee next to Cllr Mans, pleading with him to halt the plans until alternative funding for Short Breaks could be found. He said: “I am begging you to give one extra year.”

Mum Gail Bedding, who has a disabled son and is co-chairman at Hampshire Parent Carer Network, said this would allow a reprieve. She said: “I don’t want any cuts, it breaks my heart to think about it – yet again the most vulnerable families are being hit.

“However if this is going to happen then we need to make sure we do it right. So let’s continue to work together. Give us more time, another year will help. Cllr Mans, we need to deliver your vision. You want the voluntary sector to step up.

“Let’s look at how we can make cuts across the board to maintain the existing services.”

She added: “We know there are reserves in place. They were put there for a reason and what better way to spend this money than by putting a smile back on the faces of parents and carers of disabled children and young people?”

Dibden and Hythe county councillor Malcolm Wade said the cuts would only be a tiny saving to the county council’s overall budget – while the damage to families would be “gigantic”.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Mans said: “I have listened very carefully to the discussion that has taken place. I would like to reiterate what I have said previously, which is that, as part of the consultation process, I will take full regard of those contributions, together with representations that I have received already.

“I can assure you that I will give them due consideration when making a final decision.”