Council chiefs invited on three-mile pram push to highlight potential closure of children's centre
Its so they can experience the journey parents will have to take to an alternative
Council bosses are being invited to take part in a three-mile pram push to highlight the potential closure of a children’s centre in Kent.
The idea is to ask Kent County Council (KCC) decision makers to experience the journey parents are expected to undertake if Millmead, in Dene Valley, Margate, shuts next April.
The nearest alternative to the former Sure Start centre – which will close along with a 62 place nursery if £225,000 KCC annual funding is withdrawn – is a mile and a half away.
KCC Margate councillor Barry Lewis (Lab) says he wants members of the decision-making children’s, young people and education cabinet committee (CYPE) to take part.
Services used by hundreds in Margate and Sheerness, part of the KCC Family Hubs initiative, have now entered a period of consultation and dozens of jobs could be at risk.
KCC maintains it must make £100m of cutbacks in the next two years or face going bust.
Cllr Lewis said: “It’s all very well to say the cuts have to be made but this will rip the heart out of the community.
“Many people here do not have the wherewithal to get to the alternative place offered by KCC which is a mile and a half away from Millmead. So, we’re asking members of the KCC committee to come along and try it for themselves.”
Millmead offers a range of free-of-charge services designed at helping parents cope on low incomes, including advice and free courses.
The centre also provides free nursery places, affordable food subscriptions and a foodbank.
KCC contends it cannot carry out its statutory obligations against a backdrop of squeezed funding from central government and soaring costs.
All “discretionary” spending, which is not required by law, will be under threat as the authority attempts to balance the books.
Withdrawing the subsidies to Millmead and Sea Shells in Sheerness would save KCC £426,000 annually, as commissioned services
The council believes it has the same provision elsewhere which allows the saving to be made.
Sue Chandler, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services said: “Following the introduction of our new Family Hub model across Kent last year, the management cost for these two commissioned services creates a duplication as KCC is also paying for the management of the in-house services on offer at KCC Family Hubs across the Districts of Swale and Thanet.
“By not renewing these contracts when they naturally come to an end in March 2025, we can make a much-needed efficiency saving whilst continuing to provide essential services for families and young people in these areas.
Conservative member of the CYPE committee Cllr Sarah Hamilton said: “I haven’t received this invitation, so I can’t really respond. I will be out of the country for some of this month.”
Cllr Chandler was approached for a comment.