THE childrens centre in Studley will now definitely close after a last ditch bid to save it failed at Warwickshire County Hall on Wednesday (November 29).
At an extraordinary meeting of the county council an amended motion, supported by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Greens to use £1.12million of the reserves to reduce the impact of the cuts.
The amendment also called for the council’s medium term financial plan for 2018/19 to be altered and to explore the possibility of using council tax funds to finance the centres in the future.
However the amendment was defeated 35 to 18 by the Conservative controlled authority.
The council had been looking to save £1.12million from its childrens budget and earlier in November voted to close nine childrens centres, including the one in Studley.
A further 16 – to be re-designated Outreach Centres – could also be under threat if the council fails to find a third party to manage them.
This leaves just 14 ‘Children and Family Centres’ across all of North and South Warwickshire to offer a service for children aged 0-5 years, but with the addition of also catering for young people up to the age of 19 and those with disabilities up to 25.
Under the plans Alcester would have such a centre.
County Councillor Clive Rickhards (Lib Dem, Studley) who voted in favour of the amendment said: “This defeat means the Studley Childrens Centre will close for sure.
“What we must do now is fully explore how the Alcester centre is going to help the Studley area although I think it will be difficult to supply the same level of service.”
