Families in Somerset will have a further chance to comment on proposals to change the way Children’s Centre Services are run, Somerset County Councillors heard today, Wednesday, 20 November.
Conservative Cabinet Member Councillor Frances Nicholson told today’s Full Council meeting that there will be a further round of public consultations on proposals to restructure the services that would see 30 extra front-line staff and an extra £1m invested in front-line services.
Councillor Nicholson said she was convinced that the public would support investment in front-line services rather than continued high management and running costs.
And she said she had listened carefully to members of the public, communities and councillors who said they had not had the opportunity to comment fully on the future of 18 current centres that would be affected by the restructure.
“I have heard what people have said in relation to these 18 centres,” she said. “I have heard, and I am sympathetic to this. Therefore I have asked officers to draw up proposals for each and every one of the 18 remaining centres. These proposals will then be consulted on as appropriate so that local people can comment on plans for their local centres. I believe this is fair and what people really want.”
Family support would still be provided in these communities, in many cases still in the buildings currently known as Children’s Centres, or in other suitable venues.
Councillor Nicholson said media reports that stated 18 centres would close were misleading and she would be contacting newspaper editors.