Hertfordshire County Council has been one of the first local authorities to announce its commitment to putting frontline services for families first, with plans to keep all 82 of its children's centres open. When its contracts are up for renewal in 2013, rather than looking to reduce services, the council will consult on reshaping provision in order to reduce management costs.
Lead member for children's services Jane Pitman, said: "All our children's centre staff are acutely aware that their biggest challenge is to continue to make sure services are reaching vulnerable and disadvantaged families."
The announcement is particularly welcome given a recent survey of children's centre managers by 4Children and the Daycare Trust. It identified a serious risk of widespread closures despite protected Sure Start funding in the Comprehensive Spending Review. But Pitman says: "Despite acute financial pressures, Hertfordshire County Council has been determined to give a high priority to maintain full coverage of children's centres using the early intervention grant to ensure the centres thrive."
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