COUNCILS should not need to impose cuts on children’s services, the government minister for childcare has said. 

In an interview with The Argus on a trip to Hove yesterday, MP Sam Gyimah said the Government had made a “significant” investment in childcare to help councils and families. He added his name to a string of public figures supporting the Save Our Centres campaign, launched by The Argus last week.

The campaign calls on Brighton and Hove City Council to reconsider proposals to shut four children’s centres and stop related services in a bid to save £800,000 in the 2015/16 budget.

Mr Gyimah, who has a nine-month-old son, said: “This is an example of the sort of campaign an excellent local paper should be running, to challenge local authorities to deliver for parents.

“The Government recognises childcare is important and is a real issue for families. We have increased the government spending on early years in childcare by £6 billion over the course of the parliament.

“Early education really makes a difference when children start school and offers support for parents. There shouldn’t be a reason why the council is cutting children’s centres here.”

Previously a council spokesman said: "The proposals should be seen in the context of rising costs and the council losing around £100 million of government funding over the next four years. They are part of a drive to focus council resources on services that will deliver the best outcomes for those families who need most help."

The comments were made during a visit to privately-run Tinysaurus nursery in New Church Road, Hove, where he met councillor Graham Cox, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the constituency – who also pledged to back the campaign.

He said the cuts "lacked imagination" and other options should be looked at. 

The pair learnt the secrets of a successful and expanding nursery which, since its launch in 2006, cares for about 50 children a day, including those eligible for government-funded care, and is rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Hannah McGoohan, area manager for the nursery, was on hand to show the pair around with colleagues Chloe Boxall and Nicole Coulson, and said interaction with other children at a young age was key for development. 

She said: "As well as a childcare option for parents, this really brings on a child's learning. You can see how they learn from each other and the older children often encourage and help the younger children. This helps prepare them for school, it gets them used to a routine and also from that first time away from their parents."

A public consultation on children’s centre cuts closed last night and the results will form part of a report considered by councillors when the budget is set at the end of the month.

The council's proposals in detail


BRIGHTON and Hove City Council is looking to make savings of £779,000 to children's centre services. The venues and related services cost £2,471,000 but the council wants to run them for £1,692,000 in the 2015/16 financial year. If the plans are approved, tens of thousands of parents and children could be affected. 

The plans include:
· Cutting the number of main centres from 12 to eight, by merging four. The four at risk will effectively close, but the council insists the venues will not be sold. A council spokesman said health visitors could continue to operate from the sites. The centres at risk are City View Children's Centre in Elm Grove, Cornerstone Children's Centre in Church Road, the Hollingbury and Patcham site in County Oak Avenue, and West Hove centre in Portland Road. City View and Cornerstone could be merged into Tarner Children's Centre in Ivory Place. The Hollingbury and Patcham site could be merged into the Hollingdean centre in Brentwood Road. The West Hove centre could merge into Conway Court in Clarendon Road. 
· Baby groups which meet each week in Moulsecoomb, Whitehawk, Coldean, Woodingdean and Rottingdean libraries, and in the Meadowview Community Centre, could be axed. The libraries themselves are not under threat.
· Early-years visitors, receptionists and service support managers are under consultation and the equivalent of 11.5 full-time posts could be axed.
· Funding to both voluntary groups the Early Childhood Project and the Brighton Unemployed Centre could be halved.
· The City View and Cornerstone advisory groups could merge into one at the Tarner centre, and the Hollingbury and Patcham group could be combined with the one at Hollingdean.
· The current 30 baby and toddler Stay and Play groups across the city could be slashed to 20.
· Drop-in baby and toddler groups, which are open to everyone, could be time limited, with appointments introduced.
· Parents with babies would only be able to attend an eight-week course and children under two may only be able to attend for a term.
· Home visits will be cut back by a third and parents will be encouraged to travel to a centre for a check-up instead. 
 

Back The Argus campaign - how you can help 

1. Pledge your backing of the campaign and contact senior reporter Flora Thompson at The Argus to express your views on 01273 544539 or email flora.thompson@theargus.co.uk.

2. Sign the change.org petition 'Stop the proposed cuts to children's services' online set up by parent group the Brighton Children's Centres Campaign by clicking here

3. Join parents in a peaceful protest on Thursday, February 26, ahead of Brighton and Hove City Council's budget meeting at 4.30pm where the future of the children's centres and related services will be determined. The meeting takes place in Brighton Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton.