Children's centres across Reading to be closed to save money
Half of Reading's children's centres could be closed as the council looks to make savings of millions of pounds.
There are currently thirteen centres in the town but under a proposed restructure they would be replaced with four permanent hubs located at:
Sun Street in east Reading
Coronation Square in Southcote
Ranikhet Children's Centre in Spey Road in Tilehurst
Whitley Youth Centre on Northumberland Avenue
Some services would also be provided at three satellite buildings across the town.
The council needs to save £42m by 2020 and says cutting the number of children's centres will save them £400,000.
But Councillor Jan Gavin, of Reading Borough Council, says the changes are a direct consequence of Government funding cuts.
But it's not just children's centres in Reading under threat.
In Oxfordshire and Hampshire, protests have been held to try and stop sites being closed.
The plan to close centres in Reading are due to be discussed by the council this evening (Dec 13).