KEY social services staff WILL remain at the Serennu Centre in Newport, after a city council U-turn on a plan to move them out to save money.

The decision - following a rent-waiving agreement reached with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board - has been greeted as a victory for common sense by parents of disabled children who attend the centre, and by child health experts.

The council had proposed moving its disabled children's team (DCT) from the groundbreaking centre at High Cross to save £24,000 a year, one of scores of proposals to trim millions of pounds from its 2015/16 budget.

The £24,000 is the rent the health board charges the council for space at the centre, but council leader Bob Bright has announced this will now be waived and "our disabled children’s team will remain based at the centre."

"This is fabulous news, a tremendous result," said Dr Sabine Maguire, a trustee of the Sparkle Appeal, which raises money to help equip the centre, which opened in 2011.

"We welcome the council's decision and are delighted they have considered the concerns expressed by families and professionals, and we look forward to continuing to work with them at the Serennu Centre."

Torfaen council has plans to redesign its disabled children's service to save £100,000 - again as part of multi-million pound savings proposals across all departments - and a budget report warns it will also "impact on partnership relationships" at the centre.

Dr Maguire said she hopes Torfaen will join Newport council in continuing to have a presence at the centre. The council has yet to make a decision however, and is yet to comment on the matter.

Sarah Ganderton, of Rhiwderin, whose 11-year-old son William has autism and severe global development delay, and attends the centre for a range of services every week, is "delighted" the Newport DCT is staying at Serennu.

She told the Argus last week that its moving out would create "a logistical nightmare" for many families with disabled children.

"This proposal would have compromised the aims of the Serennu Centre," she said.

"It is great the issue has been brought into the open, and proof that by having a discussion like this, we can make a difference."

Serennu provides therapies and support for thousands of disabled children and their families from Newport, south Torfaen and south Monmouthshire, in 21st Century facilities, under one roof.

This 'one stop shop' philosophy, with a range of health and social services available in one place - minimising the need for multiple appointments in different, often outdated or unsuitable venues, often miles apart - was the fundamental founding principle of the centre.

It is run by the health board, with social services input from Newport and Torfaen councils, and was created through millions of pounds of Welsh Government funding, following several years of campaigning and fundraising by parents and countless supporters of the ideal of developing such a centre.

Tracy Stafford, from Undy, whose four-year-old son Coby has autistic spectrum disorder and uses services at Serennu, said she was overjoyed at the council's decision following weeks of uncertainty.

Lisa Morgan, also from Undy, whose four-year-old son Charlie has autism, begun last week to raise an online petition opposing the council's plan, which had attracted more than 2,500 signatures.

She thanked everyone who had signed up for their "fabulous support."

"We fight for our children every day and Serennu is a model of excellence, something we are extremely proud to have in this area," she said.

Councillor Bright confirmed the health board has agreed to waive the rent for the disabled children’s team based at the Serennu Centre.

“I have been talking to the chair of the board (David Jenkins) in a bid to resolve this issue, and I am delighted this agreement has now been reached," he said.

"At a time when we having to make difficult financial decisions, it is crucial that diminishing funds are spent on services and the staff who deliver these vital services to children and their families.

“This means our disabled children’s team will remain based at the centre although they will continue to see families wherever is most convenient to those families.

“We regard our relationship and collaboration with our health partner as very important, and for that reason I am pleased this has reached a satisfactory conclusion. Staff from both organisations will continue to work together in a number of premises to deliver a range of services.”