There has been “confusion” among carers over plans to transfer residential short break services for disabled adults from Beaconsfield to Aylesbury.

Earlier this month, Bucks County Council (BCC) launched a consultation into plans to transfer short breaks services from Seeleys House in Beaconsfield to the Aylesbury Opportunities Centre.

The proposals have sparked concern and confusion among carers, who fear the service will be difficult to access once it is moved 20 miles away to the north of the county.

During a meeting of BCC’s health and adult social care select committee this morning, councillor for Ryemead and Micklefield, Julia Wassell, said carers have had difficulty understanding exactly what the plans are.

Cllr Wassell said: “I do feel like when we hold the enquiry into Seeleys House to report back to cabinet, we really should be involving carers in the meetings at Seeleys House to make sure there is a fully informed response from carers.

“I think they have found it difficult to understand what is happening, and there has been confusion.

“We have to bear in mind some of these carers are caring 24 hours a day, unless they have respite and day care. We need to make it accessible to them to speak to us.”

Short breaks allow children and adults with disabilities to spend time away from home and develop independence, which allows their primary carers to have a break from caring responsibilities.

BCC has previously admitted it is difficult to manage the demand for residential short breaks in the face of limited finds.

The council is working to slash £524,000 from its direct care and support services by the end of the financial year, and is expected to make £4.5 million from the sale of Seeleys House if plans are given the green light.

The new service in Aylesbury would be funded in partnership with the Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group to “help provide safe, quality care for those with only the most complex needs”.

Chairman of the committee, Cllr Brian Roberts, said he is “concerned” about the plans, and agreed the committee needs to look into the issue.

Yesterday, BCC revealed plans to scrap a farmyard-based employment service which offers work to adults with learning disabilities across the county in a bid to slash another £124,000 from the adult social care budget.