Southport MP Damien Moore has welcomed the announcement that plans to close children’s centres across the borough have been thrown out.
The Labour Sefton Council launched a consultation on the proposals in September but will no longer proceed with closures following an outpouring of opposition from the public, including five petitions and an intervention by the town’s MP.
However, Sefton Council says it will still reduce funding by almost £1m, which will see the Linaker Children’s Centre lose 18% of its funding (£104,000.00).
Commenting on the announcement, Damien said:
“I’m delighted to hear that Family and Children’s Centres will remain open following a backlash from the public. I met with the Chief Executive of the Linaker Children’s Centre and subsequently made several interventions on the proposed consultation.”
“There is no doubt that the council intended to pursue with the closure of services in Southport, and the consultation was a means to achieve this end. Fortunately, however, residents responded emphatically.
“The Sefton leader talks about a reduction in government funding and having to reduce the centres budget by £1m. But whilst my constituents are fighting for local services to remain, he is spending their cash lavishly on a shopping centre in Bootle.”
“Why is there money to spend on a dilapidated shopping centre in Bootle at the cost of £32.5m, but not £1 million to comfortably support our Family and Children’s Centres in Southport? It’s more smoke and mirrors from Cllr Ian Maher and the Labour Party.”
https://www.otsnews.co.uk/uk-government-set-destroy-childcare-sector/
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