Southport MP Damien Moore has criticised Sefton Council for lacking transparency and failing to provide clarity over proposed changes to the location and services provided by Sefton’s Children’s Centres.

The consultation, which started on 25th September and closes on 17th November, has been met with anger by Southport residents who are concerned over its future.

The proposals would see Family and Children’s Centres become Family Wellbeing Bases’ and could result in a 79% reduction of centres.

Linaker Children’s Centre currently serves approximately 3500 children, some of whom are incredibly vulnerable.

Commenting on the proposed consultation, Damien said:

“The Children’s Centre acts as a hub for many families in Southport and specialises in early intervention and prevention offering crucial support particularly with education, employment, financial and legal issues as well as emotional support.”

“I have expressed my concerns as to the consultation process currently being undertaken in regards to Children’s Centres. Several of my constituents have informed me that the process is vague and is unclear as to what the proposed changes would result in.”

“Although I note that there will be the ‘complementary bases’ no information is provided whatsoever as to what services these bases will provide, which may result in my constituents, many of whom are vulnerable having to travel to receive services, or worse not having access to them at all.”

Page two of the questionnaire explains the reasoning for the consultations proposals, stating: ‘our communities have told us that our teams need to be more joined up as this will make their lives easier’. However, Damien Moore was quick to dismiss the explanation as ‘nonsense’.

Damien said:

“I would be extremely interested to learn as to which communities have indicated that a 79% reduction in children’s centres in the borough would make life easier for residents.”

“I also note that the new Family Wellbeing Centres would cover children from the ages of 0 to 19, and I am concerned that the inclusion of all these age groups will result in a poorer service for residents.”

“There does appear to be a problem with clarity and a lack of transparency on the part of Sefton Council with regards to the future of the children’s centres in Southport, there is a distinct lack of information regarding the complementary bases and the services that they will offer, which does not allow for residents to make informed choices.”

“Many of my constituents as well as the staff at Linaker are worried due to the uncertainty they now face. As a matter of urgency Sefton Council must produce a formal and detailed plan of what it is intending to do, and publish more detailed information regarding the complementary bases.”

“Furthermore, Sefton Council must now decide which direction it wishes to take with regards to spending. It cannot continue to spend lavishly in Bootle, whilst proposing such significant funding reductions and structural alterations to key services in Southport. It’s about choices – and Sefton appear to be making all the wrong ones.”

Ah, didn't take young Damien time to learn the "all the money's spent in Bootle" divisive mantra so beloved of his Lib Dem friends. The same friends that teamed up with the Tories to impose their brand of massive targeted cuts to Sefton's funding since 2010. This could easily be a press release from John Pugh. He'll be telling us he's fighting for Southport next along with saving Lord Street and restoring the Burscough curves. Maybe a tidal barrage because we live near the sea.

Originally Posted by ecclefechan

Ah, didn't take young Damien time to learn the "all the money's spent in Bootle" divisive mantra so beloved of his Lib Dem friends. The same friends that teamed up with the Tories to impose their brand of massive targeted cuts to Sefton's funding since 2010. This could easily be a press release from John Pugh. He'll be telling us he's fighting for Southport next along with saving Lord Street and restoring the Burscough curves. Maybe a tidal barrage because we live near the sea.

...................and maybe a magic money tree so loved by Jezzer and his economically vacuous disciples.