Sharp fall in nursery places for Westminster's children in need

Statistics released by Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the council’s Labour group, show that from October this year just 20 places will be available, compared to 103 in 2006/7.

The figures also show that as of April this year there are just 40 places available for children in need, defined as those whose families are being supported by social workers.

Dimoldenberg accepts that central government cuts are the main cause, but believes Westminster City Council could do more to divert funding from back office functions such as PR and communications to frontline services.

He added: "Once again, it is the most vulnerable residents who are bearing the brunt of this major cut in frontline services. The cuts are too fast and too deep and they are having an immediate negative impact on those who need the services the most.

"These are heartless cuts that take no account of their impact on families, on relationships and on the community."

Dimoldenberg has also released figures for uptake of holiday scheme places after higher charges were introduced earlier this year.

He said that just 186 children attended schemes during the Easter holiday this year, compared to 306 during 2010’s Easter break.

Councillor Nickie Aiken, Westminster City Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said the borough’s play services have historically been heavily subsidised by the council and that it had offered these services long after other local authorities had stopped.

She added: "In the past five years we have also made significant investment in children’s services, providing new services for families. We have opened 12 new children’s centres, for example, and provide over 100 new nursery places for two-year-olds.

"That said, falling government grants and rising costs mean the service can no longer continue in its current form. We are going to have to make some tough decisions about how we provide services, but this will only be done to ensure that we can continue to deliver services to those who need them most.

"As for Westminster’s communications department, like all departments at the council there are cuts being made and it has, and will continue to generate, savings for local taxpayers. However, despite Councillor Dimoldenberg’s repeated criticisms, he is on record as publicly praising it as ‘probably the best communications operation in local government'."

Last year CYP Now reported that cuts to funding for holiday play schemes would result in a leap in charges from £22 to £120 a week. Also children’s after-school play provision charges would increase from £8.30 to £30 a week.