Nine children's centres at risk as council proposes cuts to save £1.5m

York Council, which currently runs nine children’s centres, has rubber-stamped plans to launch a consultation on their future.

The council said it is considering reducing the number of designated children’s centre buildings and delivering children’s centre services “on a stronger outreach basis across the city”.

It will also look into the viability of transferring ownership of children’s centre buildings, and supporting community groups to take on a larger role in their operation.

A report on the proposals said that since a previous remodelling of children’s centres in 2014, the council has continued to explore a more outreach-based approach to targeting families with multiple needs, and expanding the ability of the community to take more ownership of children’s centre locations.

“It is proposed to continue with this journey of community engagement to more fully realise the potential of children’s centre venues across the city in order to support communities and partners to offer all families a universal start in life,” the report states.

“Much of the valuable work carried out by children’s centre services does not happen within the buildings themselves but within communities and families' homes.”

The proposals are part of plans to save £1.47m on the council's budget for early help and intervention over the next three years. A date for the public consultation is yet to be announced.

A government-run consultation on the future of children’s centres nationally is due to launch in the summer.