More money for the front-line and more opportunities for people to have their say on Children’s Centre Services were confirmed today, 28 November.
The decision taken by Conservative Councillorr Frances Nicholson is to reduce spending on management and administration and increase spending on the front-line by restructuring the service on an area basis.
It is not a decision about the future of any individual centre. It confirms the Council’s commitment to give people more chance to have their say before decisions about individual centres are taken.
“I want to be absolutely clear that what I have decided today is not about the future of individual centres,” said Cllr Nicholson.
“What I have decided is what I told Full Council last week - that I have split the decision - and this is just the first part.
“I have decided today to restructure the service so that less money is spent on management and admin, and more is spent on the front-line services that people need and value. We would not create a new service that spends more than half of its budget on management, admin and buildings. I believe the vast majority of people will support this and if we are to get more help to the families that need it most, things need to change.
In terms of individual centres, we will be revising plans and carrying out local consultation, appropriate to the significance of any proposed change, before any decisions about individual centres are taken.
“Until this has happened I cannot speculate on what the outcomes will be. But we can reassure families that every community that currently has Children’s Centre activities will continue to have them – either provided from the building they are used to using or elsewhere in the local community.
“At this stage we cannot tell you when we will be in a position to share proposals or start consultations, but we will keep people informed.”