Anger as new H&F Sure Start model and funding cuts spelt out

FUNDING cuts and planned changes to Sure Start centre provisions in the borough have finally been laid out with 10 centres set to see their budgets decimated.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council were greeted by angry protestors when they rubber-stamped £3.2m worth of savings from their children's services budget at a fiery cabinet meeting two weeks ago.

They backtracked on plans to cut funding from nine Sure Start centres and announced they would be launching a public consultation into a planned restructuring.

That consultation was finally released last week with the 15 Sure Start Centres in the borough, which provide early education and childcarde support, set to receive £1.7m less than last year.

The kitty will be spread even thinner with the announcement that a further centre will open in Baron's Court Library and a 'hub' and 'spoke' model introduced.

Six current Sure Start Centres will become hubs and will see their funding cut from £455,000 to £336,000 a year, have to be open a minimum of five days a week, 10 hours a day and 48 weeks a year and will continue to run a full support service for residents and parents.

The 10 spoke centres, which won't be more than a mile away from a hub, will see their funding reduced slashed to £19,000 a year and will not provide full outreach services or support for children with special needs or disabilities.

H&F Council say they have taken the decision after changes to the way Government funding can be spent and also confirmed 50 jobs will go.

Previous money for children's services had to be spent on certain provisions but from April this year the council can spend it how they wish.

That freedom means they can plough more money into their Family Support scheme which received £932,000 last year.

This year it will be budgeted £4,244,000 and councillor Helen Binmore, H&F Council cabinet member for children's services, said the scheme can help ensure the centre's continue to run effectively.

She said: "We think there are alternatives to closing centres, but they require innovative thinking and willingness by the council, health services, voluntary sector providers and local people to work together.

"By combining children's centres with family support services, we can make savings in our running costs while making it easier for vulnerable families to get the services they need at the earliest opportunity before their difficulties escalate to the point that they need more expensive crisis interventions.

"We welcome views on this proposal or any other options local people or organisations would like to propose."

The plans have come under-fire from angry parents who will see their local centre altered dramatically as a new spoke model.

BBC news presenter Kasia Madera uses the Cathnor Park Centre, in Melina Road, and believes its future is now in serious doubt and is arranging a public meeting at the centre on February 14 at 10am to rally objectors.

She said: "The parents who use this centre are very concerned that reducing it to a spoke from a hub will pretty much lead to its closure.

"The centre is in the Askew ward, which arguably has greater need for these types of services than say the Masbro centre which is located in the Avonmore ward but which is to be a hub centre.

"I understand many Sure Start schemes are under threat but if you were to visit the centre at Cathnor Park you would see that the facilities this building has makes it perfect for a hub."

Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter (Lab) also slammed the plans and said H&F Council are showing 'contempt' to residents who rely on the centres.

He said: "At least 5,000 children under five must now lose a service which Cameron and Clegg both praised and promised to keep before the Election.

"Adding insult to injury the council continues to mislead parents about its decision. Centres like Cathnor Park, the first to open in the borough over a decade ago will see their funding cut from £455,000 a year to £19,000.

"This deeply cynical ploy to cut funds by over 95 per cent but still pretend to provide a service is typical of a council that runs on spin and shows contempt for those who work hard for low incomes and try to do the best for their families."

The consultation runs until February 28. H&F Council will then make a decision on the new hub and spoke model and funding budget at a forthcoming cabinet meeting.

To have your say and to see the proposals in full visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/childrenscentres .

SURE START MODEL - PROPOSALS

HUBS

Old Oak, Braybrook Street, W6.

Randolph Beresford, Australia Road, W12.

Masbro, Masbro Road, W14.

Flora Gardens, Dalling Road, W6.

Melcombe, Fulham Palace Road, W6.

Fulham Central, Shottendane Road, SW6.

SPOKES

Broadway, Brook Green, W6.

Cathnor Park, Melina Road, W12.