Children's centres to go in £2million cuts

A consultation has been launched by councillors today into the scheme, which would see the number of centres in the borough reduced from 20 to 13.

Families have reacted angrily to the news, saying the centres provide a vital lifeline and support network for new parents with children aged up to five.

Children's services chief, Councillor Tim Crumpton, today blamed government cuts in council funding for forcing them to table the proposal.

More than 15,000 children have access to the centres, based in clusters in five areas around the borough including Dudley, Brierley Hill, Stourbridge and Halesowen.

They provide children's activities, support, including access to childminding and nursery services, ante-natal services and links with Jobcentre Plus to give careers advice to parents.

In total, 285 people work at the centres but council officials today refused to reveal how many jobs may be at risk.

Councillor Crumpton said the proposal was not 'set in stone', adding: "We are launching a consultation process today that I want to emphasise is open and honest.

"We face unprecedented cuts in funding across all of our public services and it is with a great deal of sadness that we are putting forward proposals to reduce the number of children's centres and the service that we provide."

He added: "I will be meeting staff and users at every one of the 20 centres and will be inviting all local councillors to join me at the centres that serve their wards.

"I want to emphasise that the proposals put forward are just that, proposals, and all of the views expressed will be considered before any final decisions are made.

"This is as an opportunity for our statutory partners to consider what they may be able to bring to the table that may offset some of the funding difficulties.

"I also see it as an area where the voluntary sector may be able to help.

"We are open to all views and hope that those who use and those who value this service take the opportunity to tell us what they think."

Families who attend one of the potential venues under threat, Hob Green Children's Centre, in Pedmore, Stourbridge, have vowed to campaign against the closure. Heather Cheslin, aged 36, of Birchfield Road, Wollescote, whose children Rowan, six, and Marley, one, go to the centre, said: "It is absolutely devastating and will leave people feeling isolated and out of touch just when they need support."

Fellow parent Tracey Hipkiss, aged 35, from Pedmore, who has a two-year-old son called Oakley, added: "We are all like a family and they have helped me out so much.

"My young son was quiet when we first went and they have helped him so much. It is somewhere to go and feel safe and now they want to shut it down." Cradley and Wollescote ward councillor Richard Body said Labour councillors were 'devastated' by the proposals as it was the previous Labour government that set up the centres.

"I've been down to Hob Green today and they do an amazing job," said Councillor Body.

"What they do plays a vital role in helping children and families.

"There are mothers who go there who have nowhere else to turn. They are changing lives."

Dudley North MP Ian Austin said he was concerned about cuts which were being forced by lower than expected government grants to councils. Opposition Conservative group leader, Councillor Patrick Harley, today hit back at the authority's Labour leadership for making the closure proposals, saying cuts should instead fall on management costs. People are asked to visit www.dudley.gov.uk to take part in the consultation from today. It will run until January 3 next year. Hard copies will also be available at all children's centres to fill in and return.

The centres under threat also include Brierley Hill, in Parkes Street; Bromley Pensnett, in Bromley; Kingswinford and Wall Heath, in Mimosa Walk; Wordsley, in Lawnswood Road; Kates Hill and Sledmere, Selborne Road; Netherton Park; Priory, in Limes Road; Quarry Bank, in High Street, and Woodside, in Highgate Road.

Other centres at risk are Wrens Nest, in Marigold Crescent; Coseley, in Bayer Street; Gornal, in Roberts Street; Queen Victoria, in School Street; Little Hand, in Beeches View Avenue, Cradley; Olive Hill, in Springfields Road; Tenterfields, in Tenterfields, Halesowen; Butterfly, in Lye bypass; Peters Hill, in Peters Hill Road, and Amblecote and Stourbridge, in Forge Road.