Devastation as town to lose both children's centres if plans given go-ahead
A councillor has spoken of her fury that Burntwood could lose both its children's centres - claiming the county council has turned its back on the town.
Sue Woodward, county councillor for Burntwood North, says it will be a travesty if the town she represents is to lose both Springhill and Boney Hay children's centres, if recommendations to next week's County Council Cabinet go through.
Following the proposals published on Tuesday recommending the closure of 43 centres across Staffordshire, she has called for an urgent meeting with the lead member for Children's Services to discuss the future for Burntwood.
Councillor Woodward, who is also Labour's deputy leader at the county council said: "I am devastated that, yet again, Burntwood and its residents are losing out. We have had plans for our health centre scrapped, the Skills Centre is currently mothballed, our youth centre has closed, Greenwood House still stands empty and now both of our Sure Start Children's Centres are to close.
"The nearest centres will be in Cannock and Lichfield so how on earth are local families going to get there, given how poorly we're served by public transport?"
Councillor Woodward has previously argued that the town needs to keep at least one of its centres and said: "Given both the levels of disadvantage in the town, particularly in the wards of Boney Hay and Chasetown and high levels of family breakdown, the centres have proven their worth in supporting children, families and professionals and I feel that it is unacceptable that both centres should close."
The controversial decision will be made at cabinet next Wednesday. If approved, the closures will be introduced in April despite an eight-week consultation showing most of the 1,600 people asked were against it.
The shake up of under-fives' provision is expected to save the cash-strapped authority an overall £3 million.
The council needs to cut £102 million from its budget over the next five years
Centres saved from the axe include Cannock Chase Children's Centre and services based at Landywood Primary School, Great Wyrley, Silkmore Primary School in Stafford and Charnwood Children's Centre in Lichfield.
Councillor Woodward said: "For me, this is not just my concerns as a local representative: it's personal. My new grandson was born just before Christmas: why should he, my daughter, my son-in-law and his big sister lose out as a young family because the County Council is turning its back on our town?"
Currently there are 54 children's centres in Staffordshire – 26 are dedicated children's centres, 23 are based at schools and the others are in buildings such as libraries.
If plans are approved, eleven dedicated centres will be retained but all the other buildings will be vacated.
