Children's centres to be merged

TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are be asked to approve a “merger” of the town’s 12 Sure Start children’s centres.
The re-organisation would not involve any reduction in provision or staff cuts but would result in more efficient use of resources, reduce bureaucracy and cut administrative and inspection burdens.
The current budget allocation for children’s centres of £409,000 revenue and £200,000 capital would remain unchanged.
But before any changes can take place, consultation must take place with local families, parents and carers who use the centres, service providers, partner agencies, staff and the local communities.
Warrington’s first four children’s centres, developed between 2006-08, were located in areas of high deprivation.
Five, developed between 2007-09 included four in more affluent areas and one in a deprived town centre area.
Three followed in 2010 in outer areas of the borough with high levels of affluence.
A report to the borough council’s executive board by Cllr Colin Froggatt, lead member for children and young people’s services, says the proposed changes do not reduce the number of centres, nor result in a reduction of services.
Basically, the 12 “stand-alone” centres will be streamlined to become five “stand-alone” centres, three dedicated hubs and four associated satellite bases.
This will slash bureaucracy and in particularly will reduce the number of time-consuming annual inspections from 12 to eight.
If approved, the “mergers” will take place in February-March next year.