Ready to listen before axe falls

Up to six of the 41 centres, including Dale Street in Leamington, could close when the Warwickshire County Council service is faced with a budget cut of 30 per cent for 2014-15.

The £2.3m savings comes on top of cuts already made to centres, some of which are run for the county by the Action for Children charity.

Cllr Bob Hicks, chairman of the council’s children and young people’s overview and scrutiny committee, said: “We are keen to look in greater detail so that we can retain the highest possible level of services.

“Our select committee will provide ample opportunity for public and professional evidence to be examined.”

As well as looking at how to achieve savings, members will consider how the future quality of the service will be managed, how processes will tackle unsatisfactory performance and implications for safeguarding children.

The meeting starts at 10am on August 14 and councillors will be joined by parents whose families attend centres, along with Children’s Centre Advisory Board representatives, all of whom will give evidence and case studies to the committee on their experiences of centres.

Other speakers include Cllr Heather Timms, portfolio holder for children, young people and families, the trust which runs Warwick, Stratford, Ellen Badger and Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation hospitals, representatives of Public Health Warwickshire and clinical commissioning groups.

People can feed comments or questions through their children’s centres or contact Ann Mawdsley on 01926 418079 or [email protected]

A consultation will run to August 27 and is available to complete at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/consultation