Watford MP welcomes decision to extend Nascot Lawn public consultation process

Watford MP Richard Harrington has welcomed a decision to extend the public consultation process on funding for Nascot Lawn following calls from Hertfordshire MPs to give parents more time Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG) are currently consulting on withdrawing their funding for the children’s respite centre based in Watford. Nascot Lawn is currently funded by HVCCG, but they announced in June this year that they intended to withdraw the £600,000 a year that keeps it open. In a meeting with parents affected earlier this month, Mr Harrington discussed the business case for a ‘blended funding solution’ but was concerned that there wasn’t reasonable time to develop that.  A blended funding solution would involve funding from the CCG, Herts County Council and charitable donations. Watford MP, Richard Harrington, who supports the campaign to keep the centre open, asked his colleagues in Parliament to co-sign a letter to Ms Magson demanding more time and guaranteeing a fully funded service in the meantime. On Thursday October 19, Mr Harrington and his colleagues received a letter from Kathryn Magson, Chief Executive of Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG), stating that they would extend the consultation process by two weeks. This allows more time for parents, and all those involved in the Save Nascot Lawn Campaign, to work on an alternative funding solution that would ensure the centre stays open. The deadline for the public consultation process has now been extended to Monday November 62017, and the CCG have confirmed that they will not be making a decision before that date. Richard Harrington MP said: “Extending the consultation process is a small victory but it does show that the CCG are listening to our concerns. There’s a lot more work to be done but my priority at this stage is ensuring we have the time to work on a construction solution, and to consider all options properly. No one wants to see Nascot Lawn close its doors, it’s a lifeline to these families and a real treasure within our community. It’s vitally important that we all work together to give parents the clarity that they deserve.” He added: “ I would also like to pay tribute to the parents of Nascot Lawn whose hard fought campaign is making all the difference here. These parents have been through so much, and I continue to be amazed by their strength at what must be a difficult time.” Picture courtesy of Hoss Photography