Parents worried by proposals to change children's service provision in Sefton have appealed for a spirit of "cooperation not criticism" to resolve the issue.

The campaigners are concerned that local politics may overshadow their attempts to work with the local authority to find the best way forward. It comes after former Liberal Democrat MP John Pugh used a visit to the centre to criticise the council, which was described as "not very helpful" by the group "Sefton Childrens Centre Parents Forum".

The proposals include merging Family Centres and Children's Centres and reducing the overall number of sites, although none are earmarked for closure in Southport.

Sefton Council has acknowledged that budget restrictions are a prime mover behind the reorganisation but stressed it wants to provide the best service it can which is why it has launched a public consultation on the proposals.

The group say that while they have concerns about the process they do not want the consultation undermined by local politicians using their campaign for their own ends.

One of the main organisers, Kate Hannon, explained that the group want a constructive dialogue: "We have had representatives from each of the parties here at the Linaker and we welcome their interest but what we want most of all is a constructive consultation. When local politicians start making claims such as the Linaker is "at risk" it is not very helpful. Linaker is not a political football, the children's centres are too important for that. To suggest it's under threat of closure doesn't help the situation, it isn't although some of the services offered there could be reduced. To prevent that we need cooperation not criticism. We need to ensure that during the consultation with Sefton there is a clear open dialogue, we don't want others muddying the waters."

Sefton Council has insisted that the process is not about closures and the consultation is about listening to residents: "While no decision have yet been made, we believe the proposals will make the most of the money that we have available, allowing us to support those most in need while offering families, children and young people the opportunity to enjoy many health and wellbeing activities. At the moment we really want to hear from people and would encourage communities to take part in the consultation, which is open until November 17."

For mum Kate, the consultation itself can be daunting for some parents which is partly why they have reached out for help: " We've just had a very productive meeting with Liz Savage and local Labour representatives as part of our discussions with all political groups. They've given us some great ideas about how to make the best of the consultation document and make our views known. We realise that due to cuts to Sefton's budget some things will have to change but we want the council to fully understand just how vital the services offered at children's centres are. We believe they save money in the long term as they prevent families falling into crisis."

Further information about the Sefton Council public consultation can be found online at https://www.sefton.gov.uk/your-counc...sultation.aspx

The campaign group's Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1972097579699828/

So the "organiser" pleads that the issue isn't politicised and then criticises the LibDem and praises Labour..... Totally unbiased, of course. Wonder how she voted.

Originally Posted by dav

So the "organiser" pleads that the issue isn't politicised and then criticises the LibDem and praises Labour..... Totally unbiased, of course. Wonder how she voted.

They are asking that it isn't politicised after the former MP put the issue in his latest election leaflet with a big headline in capitals "Linaker childrens centre at risk". As it says they have approached all of them for help, if one contribution is seen as helpful and the other not, then fair enough.

The Lib Dem’s survive off fear, hate and petitions, if you ask them what they’ve achieved for Southport from it then it’d be a blank or postage stamp sized list reverting to any political footballs they can find, the only positive idea their last candidate had was a tram from the pier to ASDA!

John Pugh was MP for 16 years including 5 in coalition but yet he did not bring anything to the town other than potentially cronyism for the local party and he bemoans things like benefits and funding cuts which he supported in coalition. The rest of the local libs/exiled libs seem to want to be at war with the rest of the council.

Akthough he talks with the sentence structure of yoda (minus the wisdom) Cllr Barton at least is focusing on trying to encourage change rather than a race to the bottom like some of his colleagues.

Damien Moore could easily put achieve our previous Lib Dem representatives but unfortunately he looks like he’s falling into the Lib Dem chip on shoulder trap with his recent batch of slamming Sefton before finding out the facts.

Originally Posted by Username2016

The Lib Dem’s survive off fear, hate and petitions, if you ask them what they’ve achieved for Southport from it then it’d be a blank or postage stamp sized list reverting to any political footballs they can find, the only positive idea their last candidate had was a tram from the pier to ASDA!

John Pugh was MP for 16 years including 5 in coalition but yet he did not bring anything to the town other than potentially cronyism for the local party and he bemoans things like benefits and funding cuts which he supported in coalition. The rest of the local libs/exiled libs seem to want to be at war with the rest of the council.

Akthough he talks with the sentence structure of yoda (minus the wisdom) Cllr Barton at least is focusing on trying to encourage change rather than a race to the bottom like some of his colleagues.

Damien Moore could easily put achieve our previous Lib Dem representatives but unfortunately he looks like he’s falling into the Lib Dem chip on shoulder trap with his recent batch of slamming Sefton before finding out the facts.

There is only one matter of any importance re` Barton; and that concerns himself, no one else.

Originally Posted by oldduffer

There is only one matter of any importance re` Barton; and that concerns himself, no one else.

If they achieve something through it for the town then ego boots are probably the lesser of the evils albeit not aware what Cllr Barton has achieved yet. What we do know is that the opposition response to the above is to not challenge the view of libs using it as a political football but to mark up the image to slam labour.

If only prasnee was about to correct any Lib Dem doubt but can only guess that he may be observing purdah.