Deadline looms on kid centres consultation

JUST five days of consultation remain over Rotherham Borough Council’s closure of more than a dozen children’s centres.

Cuts of £2.2 million to the service have brought proposals to shut 13 of 21 buildings from next April.

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion has been working on a proposal which would keep them all open under a co-operative umbrella.

They would be community run, under the plan by Labour Friends of Sure Start, allowing access to new funding streams.

Ms Champion said: “I don’t want any Sure Starts to close. These children’s centres transform lives and research clearly proves that they give young children the best start in life.

“I have sent in my response to the council in the hope that they will take this proposal on board and look at how it could work for our children's centres in Rotherham.

“I urge everyone who cares about Sure Start to send in proposals too.” The deadline is Wednesday (30).

Ms Champion added: “There is still a long way to go to rescue all the centres, but I’m hopeful that it’s not the end of the road.

“We need to look how we can save these services which are highly valued and cherished by the local parents that use them.

“They provide a wonderful service and support to families with young children.”