IN his rush to criticise local councillors, Simon Heng (Shuttle/Times and News, June 16) has completely misunderstood the situation.

The unsuitability of Freda Eddy Court for long-term residential use has in fact been recognised for a number of years. Close co-operation between the county and district councils and Wyre Forest Community Housing and other local social housing providers has ensured that appropriate permanent community-based housing has been provided for residents.

It is the closure of the respite provision, forced upon the county council by the Commission for Social Care Inspection, which is causing problems.

Despite Social Services being aware that this closure was imminent, no locally based respite facility has been provided as a replacement.

Whilst some of the service users who are affected will be happy to accept a "holiday placement" some distance away, others need a local facility.

It is the lack of consultation with respite service users and staff and the inadequacy of the department's long-term planning that I am criticising, not the closure of the long-stay/permanent residential facilities at Freda Eddy Court.

FRAN OBORSKI

County and district

councillor,

Osborne Close

Kidderminster