Council set to close 17 children's centres to save £3m

Northamptonshire County Council has launched a consultation over plans to close 17 of its 50 children’s centres as it aims to save £3m from the current £10.1m annual spend on children's centres. Overall, the council needs to slash £65m from its overall 2016/17 budget.

The council said funding will in future be targeted in areas of greatest need, in particular Northampton East and Central, Corby and Wellingborough.

There will be eight full closures of children’s centres. A further nine children’s centres will close, but some of the services they provide will continue in alternative venues, mainly libraries.

The proposals follow negotiations between the council and organisations providing services on their behalf – Action for Children, Spurgeons and the Corby Children’s Centre Consortium.

Heather Smith, lead member for children's services at the council, said: “A great deal has changed since children’s centres were first introduced in Northamptonshire more than a decade ago.

"They now bring together a range of support including health visiting, childcare, family support and adult learning. We want to make sure that we can continue to provide this support, but we need to do it with less money.

“Furthermore, families can access a wide range of help, support and activities at all 36 libraries across Northamptonshire, making services more accessible for all.”

Earlier this month childcare minister Sam Gyimah warned that councils could be made to pay back millions of pounds if they close children’s centres that were set up with central government cash.

Northamptonshire’s children’s centre consultation closes on 28 April and a final decision will be taken by cabinet members in May.