29 children's centres to close in Derbyshire

29 children's centres to close in Derbyshire Credit: Press Association

29 children's centres across Derbyshire will close as part of Derbyshire County Council's plans to cope with budget cuts.

They say that after a review of children's services it has to cut £4.7 from the budget for the centres.

The council say that 21 children’s centres in some of the county’s most deprived areas will remain open . They are:

  • Alfreton

  • Birdholme

  • Bolsover

  • Cotmanhay

  • Creswell

  • Eckington

  • Fairfield

  • Gamesley

  • Glossop

  • Hadfield

  • Heanor

  • Holme Hall

  • Ironville

  • Langley Mill

  • Long Eaton (urban)

  • Matlock

  • North Wingfield

  • Old Whittington

  • Shirebrook

  • Staveley

  • Woodville.

Those centres due to close are:

  • Arkwright

  • Bakewell

  • Belper

  • Blackwell

  • Brampton

  • Brimington

  • Chapel-en-le-Frith

  • Chesterfield town centre (Queen’s Park)

  • Clay Cross

  • Clowne

  • Coton-in-the-Elms

  • Crich

  • Dronfield

  • Etwall

  • Harpur Hill

  • Hasland

  • Killamarsh

  • Long Eaton (rural)

  • Newhall, New Mills

  • Ripley

  • Sandiacre

  • Somercotes

  • South Normanton

  • Stonebroom

  • Tupton

  • West Hallam

  • Whaley Thorns

  • Wirksworth.

  • Services at Kirk Hallam Children’s Centre will re-locate to Charnos Family Support Centre in Ilkeston. Bolsover will retain a children’s centre although a new, more suitable venue will be sought.

  • Alternative community venues will also be sought in Newhall and Sandicare – where staff will be retained – while it is hoped that outreach work will continue in Stonebroom.

  • Although Belper is to close, discussions will take place with a local voluntary group to continue to run services from the existing building.

The closures mean the loss of 143 full time posts in children's and business services. Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services Councillor said:

A spokesperson for the Department of Communities and Local Government said:

“The long-term funding settlement for councils is fair and ensures those facing the highest demand for services continue to receive more funding.”

“Our long-term funding settlement ensures those councils facing the highest demand for services continue to receive more funding.

“Derby County Council will receive over £1.8 billion over the next 4 years, and benefit from the national £3.5bn social care package.”