Sheerness and Margate children's centre enter final week of consultation

Two children's centre in Margate and Sheerness have entered the final week of their consultation.

In July, Seashells and Milmeads were placed under consultation by the Kent County Council who are looking to save more than £100 million over the next two years.

This decision has been met with backlash, with both centres campaigning to save their futures. At the start of September a protest walk was held by Seashells, over one hundred people attended.

Heidi told us that she would no longer have her children if it wasn't for Seashells, she said: "I can't believe they are even considering this, the island would have absolutely nothing.

"They are always there if you need them and i just think both my children wouldn't be there today if it wasn't for them because being a parent can be so difficult.

"My daughter has been very much delayed in her learning but in the last year she has learned so much from Seashells, she can now walk and even talking a couple of bits.

In Margate, the Chief Executive of Milmeads , Jan Collins, told us she is worried that the council's minds have already been made up, she said: "The community will be devastated and I believe it will start to regress over time.

"We are extremely worried about how families are going to manage and how young people will grow up and thrive."

Sue Chandler, cabinet member for integrated children’s services said: "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.”