Anger over closure of Cradley Heath Children's Centre

Sandwell Council has confirmed that when the current lease on Cradley Heath Children's Centre on Valley Road ends in March, it will not be renewing it.

Instead, the council has begun searching for another venue – but its location is yet to be confirmed.

The decision to not renew the lease has been met with opposition from parents, who argue that the current premises are ideal for their needs, having been especially converted.

As well as a baby clinic, the centre also holds parent and child sessions, baby massage, baby yoga, breastfeeding support, music and story sessions and welfare rights surgeries. It has also arranged special trips for families to local attractions.

Among those voicing their concern is mother and volunteer at the centre Hannah Billingham.

The 26-year-old ,who lives in Cradley Heath, says the centre is vital for her and her daughters, aged two, and eight-months-old.

She said: "I was deeply saddened at the news that the centre will be closing in March.

"The staff are fantastic and a real credit to the centre. Supporting both parents and children – they have wide knowledge of child development and can help parents in many ways.

"They run amazing groups, which the children love and gain so much from. I would hate to see the staff made redundant as a result of this closure."

Mrs Billingham also praised the centre's current facilities, which were specifically created to accommodate parents, babies and young children.

This includes the provision of children's sinks and toilets, special plug covers, and safety locks.

It also has a large playroom.

The mother-of-two highlighted that health visitors attended twice monthly clinics at the centre, adding: "It's a major concern that if the centre closes parents may not attend these clinics and health professions may not see children who may be 'at risk'."

Also concerned is 33-year-old mother of three, Laura Farley, who also lives in Cradley Heath and has been using the centre for the past four years.

She said: "Since September we have seen a steady reduction in the number of services offered and opening hours have been reduced.

"We were assured by management that they were not going to close the centre but now it seems our concerns were justified.

"Without easy access to the fortnightly baby clinic.

"I worry that many vulnerable children and parents will slip through the net and not get the help they need.

"The playgroups offered allow children to have fun and learn in a safe environment with lots of toys and craft resources they may not have access to at home."

Another Cradley Heath mother opposing the closure is 35-year-old Lakhvinder Kaur, who said: "I use the services for my little boy. They have been very supportive and helped me through difficult times."

Fellow centre user Katie Harris, 29, added: "You can get here on public transport, and not every mum has their own car.

"If this closes you will have mums and children just sat at home."

The council says it has identified a number of alternative venues, including St James' Church, the Salvation Army building, Cradley Heath Community Centre, Haden Cross Fire station and a community room at Tesco.

Parents have been given consultation forms to express their views on the new location.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services at the council, said he would be meeting with parents to reassure them that the services would continue elsewhere.

He said: "Massive government cuts have meant we need to look carefully at our budgets and paying high rent is simply not the best use of our money.

"With lower running costs we will be protecting this vital frontline service and continue to run children's centres for families in the area from an alternative building.

"I pledge my wholehearted commitment to children's centres in Sandwell and have no intention of seeing any of them close.

"This is just about relocating these services to a new venue to save money."