Oxfordshire and Somerset children's centres face closure

In Oxfordshire, it is thought that more than 80 per cent of the county's children's centres are at risk due to a £61m budget hole, while in Somerset early years spending is set to be cut by £2.3m over the next two years.

Oxfordshire County Council said it is yet to make any decisions about which of the 44 centres will be closed and when, but unions say that a "worse case scenario" could see 37 affected.

Proposals regarding the closures will be made in December, before a final decision in February when the council’s budget will be set.

A council spokesman blamed “new financial realities” and said that services will be targeted at those most in need.

He said: “We will not be able to afford the widespread coverage that exists at present with 44 children’s centres and a mobile children’s centre. We must therefore concentrate closely on where these services would best be focused – for the most vulnerable.

“They have provided valued help and support for families from all backgrounds and we regret having to look at this service in terms of having to make savings.

“We are likely to be proposing the closure of a number of children’s centres as part of wider savings plans linked to this year’s budget setting process.”

The spokesman added that while Oxfordshire’s children’s centres remained open during budget cuts between 2010 and this year, keeping them open is “not likely to continue to be sustainable”.

Meanwhile, Bath and North East Somerset Council is proposing to change service provision for children up to 11 years old.

The local authority has said all children’s centre buildings will be kept but the services provided at them could change.

The council is proposing the creation of three hubs in Bath, Keynsham and Somer Valley, which would be central bases for health visitors and the locations of funded targeted sessions.

Under the plans, the remaining seven centres would be used as outreach centres for staff on a part-time basis.

The council’s cabinet will discuss the proposals and make their final decision on 13 November.