At a budgetary meeting on 24 February, proposals to cut more than £250,000 from the budget of the Children and Family Education Services department were approved by a narrow margin, with 27 councillors believed to have voted in favour of the cuts and 26 voting against.
The cuts will mean the closure of 14 after-school clubs and 23 summer play schemes, unless alternative funding for the services can be found.
Around 32 full-time jobs are also under threat.
A spokesperson from the Conservative-led council said, 'We need to reallocate the resources used to subsidise these schemes to focus on children in the city who are most at risk, to reduce the onset of abuse and neglect. We have developed in partnership with schools an extensive range of extended school provision, which is where children can find alternative provision.'
However, Labour councillor Dr Lynette Kelly said, 'The clubs were set up in deprived areas where there was no access to play provision and where there is still a need for them. Not one school has said they will take over running any of the clubs.'
Pat Seaman, vice chair of the Unite community and youth workers Coventry branch, said, 'The council has published a document called Improving Services for Children and Young People - but how can they expect to improve the services by cutting their funding by £250,000?'
Jo Stevens, assistant children's worker and play partner, added, 'It's a terrible injustice for children and I feel that the councillors don't fully understand what we do.
'I work two nights a week with groups of children in Coventry and my main role is working one-to-one with children with special educational needs. We support the children, we build their confidence and we help them to integrate. We provide a safe environment for them, and that is being taken away. The holiday clubs are also very well attended, so that is something else they will miss out on.'
