4:24pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010
By Alexandra Womack
FEARS that several Sure Start Children’s Centres in South Gloucestershire could face closure have been dismissed.
Local councillors have expressed concern that popular centres in Yate, Winterbourne, Thornbury and Severn Beach could be under threat if the Tories win the forthcoming General Election.
But the Conservatives have insisted they want to strengthen the Sure Start programme and none of the centres is at risk.
Cllr Sheila Mead (Lib Dem, Chipping Sodbury), a committee member for the Sure Start centre on Cranleigh Court Road in Yate, said: "The centre has been going really well.
"It’s reaching people who often slip through the net – young mums and dads who can’t normally afford to take their children to groups."
A Sure Start centre is also due to open in the new Yate West Gate health centre. Cllr Ian Blair (Lib Dem, Yate North) said: "Some of our local Sure Start centres are making a real difference, especially in the more deprived areas, and I’m very concerned that that is not put at risk."
The Government wants to increase the number of Sure Start centres to 3,500 by the end of March. However, the Conservatives announced they want to divert £200million from the Sure Start budget to fund more health visitors in the community.
David Cameron announced last month that his party would invite independent organisations to run the centres and pay them partly according to results.
Cllr Sheila Cook, (Con, Almondsbury) cabinet member for children and young people, told the Gazette the Tories were committed to strengthening the Sure Start programme.
"David Cameron will take Sure Start back to its original purpose of early intervention, increase its focus on the neediest families, and better involve organisations with a track record in supporting families," she said.
"He will ensure 4,200 more Sure Start health visitors are provided - giving all parents a guaranteed level of support before and after birth until their child starts school."
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