 |
Amber Sound News
Decision expected on the future of children's centres
Children’s centres across Derbyshire could close as we try to deal with the biggest budget cuts in our history.
Councillors will meet on Tuesday 14 June 2016 to consider proposals to close 29 children’s centres − with two previously earmarked for possible closure remaining open.
This follows an extensive review into proposals to change the way children’s services are offered to families across Derbyshire as we have to cut £4.7m from our budget for children’s centres.
It comes as we face unprecedented cuts to the amount of funding we receive from the Government to deliver services.
In children’s services, budgets have already been cut from £127m to £90m and by 2019 that will reduce to around £68m.
The review looked at how early education, childcare, parenting and family support could be offered more effectively in local communities by working with health, schools and voluntary organisations.
More than 1,264 people gave their views on proposals to close children’s centres which took into account levels of need, the condition and suitability of the building, transport links and which other services were offered in the area.
Cabinet is now asked to recommend that 21 children’s centres in some of the county’s most deprived areas remain open. These include Eckington and Gamesley which were previously earmarked for possible closure.
Those proposed to remain open are:
Alfreton
Birdholme
Bolsover
Fairfield
Cotmanhay
Creswell
Eckington
Gamesley
Glossop
Hadfield
Heanor
Holme Hall
Ironville
Langley Mill
Long Eaton (urban)
Matlock
North Wingfield
Old Whittington
Shirebrook,
Staveley
Woodville.
Centres considered for closure are:
Arkwright
Bakewell
Belper
Blackwell
Brampton
Brimington
Chapel-en-le-Frith
Chesterfield town centre (Queen’s Park)
Clay Cross
Clowne
Coton-in-the-Elms
Crich
Dronfield
Etwall
Harpur Hill
Hasland
Killamarsh
Long Eaton (rural)
Newhall
New Mills
Ripley
Sandiacre
Somercotes
South Normanton
Stonebroom
Tupton
West Hallam
Whaley Thorns
Wirksworth.
Services at Kirk Hallam Children’s Centre would relocate to Charnos Family Support Centre in Ilkeston. Bolsover would retain a children’s centre although a new, more suitable venue would be sought.
Alternative community venues would also be sought in Newhall and Sandicare − where staff would be retained − while it is hoped that outreach work would continue in Stonebroom.
Although Belper is earmarked for possible closure, discussions would take place with a local voluntary group to continue to run services from the existing building.
If the proposed closures are agreed, it could result in the loss of 143 full time equivalent posts in children’s and business services.
Talks have been held with unions to try to limit job losses with affected staff offered voluntary redundancy or redeployment.
Our Cabinet Member for Children’s Services Councillor Jim Coyle said:
"We don’t want to be in the position of having to consider closing children’s centres but the severe budget pressures we’re facing mean we have to make some difficult choices.
"We recognise the valuable contribution our children’s centres staff make to the lives of children, young people and their families across Derbyshire.
"But the harsh reality is that the children’s services budget has already been reduced from £127m to £95m and if central Government cuts continue to bite the budget will be in the region of £68m by 2019.
"We simply do not have the money to do everything we’d like to and we have to ensure we are targeting what money we do have at the people who need it the most.
"We examined all of our children’s centres against a set of in depth criteria to ensure a fair approach and, in fact, where two centres do not meet the criteria for closure we are recommending they stay open."
Even if the recommendations are approved, discussions will continue to take place with voluntary and community groups with a view to keeping some services operating in some locations.
Story by Derbyshire County Council
7 June | Amber Sound FM News
Back to previous page
|
Top Five News Items
Worried About Getting Hacked?
Over 15,000 hacked email and social media accounts reported in one year.
If a hacker got into your email or social media account,...
Amber Valley Music Feeds
Musicians and DJs from around Amber Valley are Clubbing together to raise cash for Amber valley Food Bank based in South Normanton,...
We Are Here To Protect Victims of Domestic Abuse No Matter What
you know that we continue to tackle domestic abuse safely, no matter what tier or restrictions we need to follow to slow...
Crich Tramway Village – Supporting the Local Community
Crich Tramway Village, home to the National Tramway Museum, will be offering free admission to residents living within 5 miles of Crich...
Remembrance Day Information 2020
Remembrance Day Information 2020
There won’t be a parade this year because of the COVID Regulations.
The Church service will be shorter than normal...
|
|
