Threat to children's centres across the county
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by political editor Paul Francis
A major drive to establish
more than 100 children’s centres across the county is on hold and
some could now not go ahead.
County education chiefs have
unexpectedly announced a review of its plans and say one of the
options could be to build fewer centres.
The centres have been a pivotal
part of a drive to improve support for families with children under
five and Kent is the middle of a final stage to establish a further
52.
They evolved from the Government’s
Sure Start initiative, initially aimed at helping families in some
of the country’s poorest communities.
KCC has plans for
centres in every
community, offering welfare advice and help for more than 83,000
children and their parents. Of those already up and running, some
are based at schools while others are at community centres, health
centres and libraries.
However, the council says it now
wants to take stock of how the programme is progressing.
In a letter to county councillors,
Cllr Sarah Hohler (Con), KCC’s cabinet member for children’s
services, says the review will examine whether there is "potential
to provide universal coverage for the children and families through
fewer centres" and that KCC wants to "minimise the number of new
builds as far as possible."
The letter emphasises the review is
"very clearly not about diminishing the programme in any way but
rather making sure that it is as long-term sustainable as
possible."
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But opposition parties at County
Hall have expressed disquiet. KCC has committed £7million to
childrens centres on top of the £10million the council is receiving
from the Government to fund them.
Labour group spokesman Cllr Les
Christie said: "I am very concerned by this. My real worry is that
this is more about reining back on the costs and I fear they may
try and dismantle some."
Opposition Liberal Democrat leader
Cllr Trudy Dean said: "The council says it is concerned that
government funds are not enough but we have known that for
years."
In a statement, Rosalind Turner,
managing director of children’s services, said: "KCC will examine
the current plans for this final phase of development and revise
delivery plans to make sure effective, sustainable services can be
provided where needed. This could ultimately mean that fewer
centres are developed, although the thrust of the review is not
about diminishing the programme and services."
Earlier this year, KCC was forced
to ditch two contractors involved in its latest building phase amid
concerns about their performance.
Friday, October 09 2009
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