Children’s Centres including one in Nantwich, face closure after Cheshire East Council budget proposals were approved today, writes Kirsty Rollings.
Labour councillors lost a proposal to use £500,000 of government funding to keep the children’s centres open after an hour long debate.
It means centres across in Nantwich, Sandbach, Knutsford and Macclesfield, which provide support for parents and carers of young children, are set to close and be replaced by mobile services.
Cllr Arthur Moran, Independent for Nantwich North and West, had backed the Labour amendment, and referred to the support for the service shown in recent consultation results.
He said: “If the consultation is to mean anything, then the administration should have a re-think and keep the centres open.
“I can’t praise enough the work that is carried out at Nantwich and Rural Children’s Centre, a place that I have visited on a number of occasions.
“It is a great facility of Nantwich town and the surrounding areas.
In a passionate address and waving an activity sheet from Nantwich and Rural Children’s Centre, Cllr Moran added: “I wish we had a copy for every member in this room to have a look at the activities that take place here and the visits they make to the rural areas.
“Their work is incredible.”
His parting plea, before the vote, ended: “I would urge all members of this council to vote in favour of this amendment.
“Put your party politics aside, vote with your conscience, put residents first, especially children and young families.”
But the amendment was lost, and the original budget plan was approved with 48 votes in favour, 28 votes against.
Newly elected Leader of Cheshire East, Conservative Cllr Rachel Bailey said: “In Cheshire East we are looking to sustain that service.
“We value the input that Children’s Centres have made.
“The proposal is simply looking at the two with the lowest footfall and the landscape of increased childcare emanating from government centrally.
“These are tough times, but it’s about ensuring that budgets are allocated correctly.
“There is a mobile service which is about reaching as many families as we can, whilst we are focusing on those families in the most need.”
Meanwhile, at the same full Cheshire East Council meeting, Cllr Moran was voted in as deputy Mayor Elect for 2016/17 term.
Another short-term proposal that affects those that need facilities like this the most….meanwhile the fat cats get fatter.