CAMPAIGNERS say they will pursue legal action against Southampton City Council over its handling of the controversial closure of Bitterne Walk- In Centre.

The Southampton branch of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition says it wants to legally challenge the council’s decision not to take the matter to the Secretary of State.

Council bosses say they don’t have that power but members of a scrutiny committee do – although they have decided not to.

Campaigners say they will also lobby the council to look at funding the walk-in centre itself in its upcoming budget.

The TUSC branch, which has played an active part in the struggle to save the facility, will hold a demonstration outside the civic offices on November 18 ahead of the next full council meeting.

Both local Conservative and Labour politicians also opposed the closure.

As previously reported, Southampton City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) had originally unveiled plans to close the centre last year but that was temporarily shelved until earlier this year.

Despite a 2,000 strong petition and campaign Southampton City CCG decided to close the centre, much to the anger or residents.

TUSC branch secretary Nick Chaffey claimed that the council’s scrutiny panel could and should have used its powers to refer the matter to the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt to consider, which would at least have put the closure on hold.

“We’re concerned that the council has a duty to respect and respond and support the views of the local community and they should be held to account.”

But Labour health boss Dave Shields insisted: “We don’t have that power.”