Families and carers who may be affected by changes to a threatened farm-based employment service for adults with learning disabilities have been urged to have their say during a public consultation.

Earlier this month Bucks County Council (BCC) agreed to consult on plans to potentially scrap the service at Thrift Farm, in Milton Keynes – which offers supported employment for dozens of adults with learning disabilities across the county.

Starting tonight, four public meetings are due to take place over the next month at the cafe in Thrift Farm to discuss the future of the service.

The meetings are open to services users, their parents and carers as well as local residents who are local to the farm, and farm customers, according to BCC.

The consultation launched on February 13 and residents are encouraged to share their views via an online survey.

Cabinet member for health and wellbeing, Lin Hazell, said ideally the farm would be taken over by a provider “with a viable plan to keep the service running”.

She said: “We would like to see Thrift Farm taken over by someone with a viable plan to keep the service and farm running.

“If there is anyone out there who thinks they can make a go of it, I urge them to get in touch without delay.

"This is a difficult time for everyone involved and I know people are worried about the future.

“I want to reassure them that, whatever happens with the consultation, nobody will be left without a suitable place to go.

“As part of our Better Lives strategy we are committed to helping people develop their skills, build on what they can do and be as independent as possible.

“If they cannot do that at Thrift Farm we will find somewhere that they can."

The consultation is due to end on Tuesday, April 9.

Anyone who would like to express an interest in taking over the farm is asked to visit https://www.supplybucksbusiness.org.uk/buckscc/portal.nsf/content/DEVA-A4MR89.

To fill out the consultation survey visit: https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgConsultationDisplay.aspx?ID=9467

The public meetings will take place on:

Wednesday, February 20 at 6p.

Friday, March 1 from 2pm to 4pm

Wednesday, March 13 from 5pm to 7pm

Wednesday, March 20 from 4pm to 6pm