A LAST-ditch attempt to save a day centre for the elderly has failed after a council scrutiny committee voted against granting the matter further consideration.

The closure of Belle Grove day centre, which is set to save Bromley Council £50,000 a year, has stirred vehement opposition from residents, users, families and carers.

The decision to close the centre, in Mickleham Road, Orpington, was taken at a meeting on March 7, chaired by Councillor Chris Phillips, portfolio holder for social care, health and housing.

But the matter was called in for further scrutiny after two groups of councillors formally objected to the decision.

On March 27 a scrutiny committee heard from the groups, led by councillors Geoffrey Gostt and John Holbrook, who argued against the closure but voted against further consideration.

The committee itself came in for criticism from Sue Sulis, a member of the Bromley Community Care Protection Group, who said: "It is a scandal. It is shameful."

As she was asked to leave, she added: "Scrutiny? You don't know the meaning of scrutiny. It is a travesty of scrutiny."

Peter Pitham, whose 81-year-old mother Joyce has been using the centre for 26 years, likened the meeting to a "Spitting Image sketch".

He said: "I thought the purpose of a scrutiny committee was to scrutinise a decision. The process was farcical. The decision had clearly been made and the political overtones ratified it."

Cllr Phillips told the meeting: "I do feel the time is right to make this decision and I think any further delay will raise anxieties.

"I am sorry we have to go through this painful process. It is not pleasant but it has got to be done."

Cllr Phillips also reiterated the closure of the centre would not proceed until alternative day care services had been made for the current 47 users.