Dudley children's centre closures scrapped
Plans to shut seven children's centres in Dudley have been scrapped, leading to warnings that the council will struggle to meet projected £2.3 million savings.
Thousands of people protested at plans by Dudley Council to close some of its 20 centres including Hob Green Centre in Pedmore.
Proposals were dropped two weeks into a review with alternative cost-savings now revealed. But the revisions mean the amount saved in the next financial year will fall from £2.3m to £1.5m.
Children's services boss Councillor Tim Crumpton today said more savings will need to be sought. It comes as councillors agreed an alternative model for running the centres.
It includes keeping all 20 open, but merging their management into five 'cluster' centres – Brierley Hill, Dudley Central, Dudley North, Halesowen and Stourbridge – with fewer managers.
