There is no alternative to cutting children’s centres (From Echo)

There is no alternative to cutting children’s centres

1:30pm Monday 6th February 2012 in Letters

In an ideal world, we would not need to propose cuts to children’s centres, which have become useful tools for development of the child.

Southend Council has reached a point with its budget that means we must save millions of pounds.

We are hemmed in by not harming the local economy and for this reason we cannot increase parking charges, nor can we increase council tax.

So the proposals see the sad loss of jobs at a time when ironically we are being awarded accolades for achievement in our children-related work, so I find it tough to have to commend serious consideration to de-commissioning two children centres.

But there is no real alternative unless the private sector can step in.

Our proposals do not mean closure of the existing buildings or ceasing the child care services already in both buildings.

In fact a further £200,000 is coming from Government for enhanced two-year-old infant support.

If councillors or residents do not want these measures, alternative savings of £445,000 a year must be found, an almost impossible task without damaging either children or adult services.

By relocating services we can still see a network of 11 centres across the town. We can turn our faces away from these harsh realities or work to protect these services and these proposals seek to do just that.

Cllr Mark Flewitt
Executive for Children and learning
Southend Council

...I feel sorry for the people who are affected by the impending closure of the children’s centres in Southend, but those complaining have to understand how we have come to this position.

The Government needs to pay off the national debt and had a choice of how to raise the money to do so.

It cut public services through local councils.

They have already cut the library service to the bone, and it is now a choice between services for the old or the young or the disabled, lollipop men and women, street lighting etc.

There was no secret about these cuts before the election so where did voters think cuts would be?

Kay Passingham
Trinity Close
Rayleigh