Swindon considers halving number of children's centres

The authority is considering plans to close seven of its 12 centres a year after they were grouped into six clusters.

A council report reveals that the plans present “significant implications” for staff and states that the delivery of services “may deteriorate” as a result.

Under the plans, the council will convert two of the closed centres – Butterflies and West Swindon – into "multi-generational family centres", where parents will work with the council to oversee delivery of community and health services by volunteers.

A council-appointed co-ordinator will manage the centres and will be responsible for working with parents and community groups to recruit volunteers and offer space for local groups to meet.

Both centres will receive two-thirds of their existing budget for the co-ordinator and initial running costs but they will be required to raise their own funding as a part of a bid to reduce the need for council support.

The report also reveals that the plans will leave some vulnerable families without access to support services and recommends that the remaining centres earmarked for closure should set themselves up as local charities as part of efforts to continue to deliver services.

It states: “There will be vulnerable children in areas of Swindon who will not receive support from a centre under the proposals.

“As children’s centres are decommissioned, the centres could set themselves up as local charities or a community interest group.”

The Penhill and Pinehurst, Gorse Hill, Moredon and Drove centres, which form a ‘supercluster’, and Parks and Walcot East will be unaffected by the budget cuts.