Working parents in ‘the richest borough in the universe’ say they may have to give up work after the council voted to outsource vital play services.

Parents who use the Kensington and Chelsea Council funded after-school and holiday childcare for four to seven-year-olds are furious after Conservative councillors gave the green light at last night’s (January 8) cabinet meeting to hand over the running of the service to primary schools or third sector providers from September.

Nearly 100 parents and children at the meeting reacted in anguish after politicians ignored their pleas, including a 1,700 signature petition, to keep the service under council control so prices do not rise from the current £6 a day. Many parents say they will now have to give up work to fund childcare.

The council claims it has saved the service and will save the council over £1.3 million in the first three years - which parents say is nothing for the rich borough who may give Holland Park Opera £5 million to become an independent charity.

Hammersmith and Fulham is being used by the council as a good example of outsourcing the service, but costs have gone up to £28 a day there.

Adam Coulter, a parent-governor at Bousfield Primary School in Earls Court, was supported by many parents and children when he urged councillors at a December council meeting to u-turn on the decision which he says they were not consulted on.

He said: “I thought what I said would have had some impact but obviously not. I’m not surprised because it’s Kensington and Chelsea, but am deeply disappointed for the kids, parents and staff. It’s just another example of K&C divesting themselves of responsibility.

“Councillor Coleridge called it the ‘richest borough in the universe’ and this really costs nothing to them.

“We have no choice now but to continue using the service but we don’t know whether it will still be functioning or how much it will be.”

The council said from September all working parents earning less than £150,000 will be able to claim back 20 per cent of play centre fees which they claim will go from the current £30 per week for 15 hours of childcare to £32.50 - but also said they cannot guarantee fees will not rise in the future.

Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, the council’s family and children’s services boss, said: “We know how vital it is that our parents can access affordable, high quality after school childcare and primary schools.

“While we can’t guarantee that fees won’t rise in the future, primary schools current charging structure isn’t a world apart from those at council run centres. We are also giving schools transitional funding and with the Government’s childcare subsidy coming into effect at the same time as the transfer we are confident that parents will be largely immunised from increases.”

Labour leader Councillor Emma Dent Coad, added: “There is no financial imperative to withdraw funds and essentially privatise this service. Family and Children’s Services funds are underspent every year by a similar sum to that which they wish to save.

"The council finds money easily enough for projects they favour - Opera Holland Park springs to mind - but they are punishing low and moderate income families to no purpose. Some are even considering giving up work altogether. This makes no sense and will be a long-term disaster for families in the borough.”