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The closure of 18 children\u2019s centres is set to go ahead after a failed bid to have the decision re-considered.<\/p>\n
Opposition councillors challenged a plan to reduce the number of Leeds City Council-run centres to 31 under plans to save \u00a32.45m.<\/p>\n
The Labour-run authority pointed out that Leeds would still have more children\u2019s centres than cities of a similar size. But questions were raised over the evidence used to justify the closures, set out in a report to the council\u2019s executive board in October.<\/p>\n
Councillor Mark Dobson, of Garforth and Swillington Independents, led a \u201ccall-in\u201d of the closure decision which could have seen it referred for re-consideration. He claimed there were flaws in the consultation process and it was not clear how the cost savings would be achieved. Coun Dobson told a scrutiny board meeting:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI also believe we are under-estimating the use of the centres.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Helen Hayden, Labour\u2019s executive member for children and families, said family services would be retained in more suitable locations. Cllr Hayden said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOur children\u2019s centre offer matters deeply to families across Leeds. The consultation was robust, thorough and objective.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Council leaders said some of the centres were underused because of a falling birth rate. Coun Hayden said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cSavings will come from reduced duplication, management and overheads, not from cutting support available to families.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Leeds City Council must save more than \u00a3100m this financial year and was forecasting an overspend of almost \u00a330m in its last financial report.<\/p>\n
As part of the shake-up, the remaining 31 children centres would be organised into seven groups, aligned with the council\u2019s Family Hubs around the city. Six centres not currently in use will be de-registered and more services will be provided online.<\/p>\n
After a debate by the council\u2019s Children and Families scrutiny board, Coun Dobson said he still believed the closures were \u201cpointless\u201d. He said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAll I would ask colleagues to consider is where are the actual savings?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
In a majority vote, board members released the closure decision for implementation at Tuesday\u2019s Civic Hall meeting.<\/p>\n
The centres set to close are: Cottingley, Farnley, Gildersome, Ardsley\/Tingley, Villages East, Castleton, Quarry Mount, Burley Park, Headingley, Pudsey, Farsley and Calverley, Parklands, Garforth, Boston Spa, Alwoodley, Roundhay, Chapel Allerton, Manor Wood.<\/p>\n
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This post was written by Dom Mort<\/strong>, Local Democracy Reporter<\/p>\n
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