The local authority said it wants to see 'more diversity' in its children's centre provision, currently operated by a range of agencies including the maintained sector, schools and voluntary organisations.
Parents who are lobbying against the retendering of children's centre contracts met with Bob Badham, Cabinet member for children and families, last Wednesday.
Mr Badham said, 'Some parents have understandably expressed concern that the impending changes will have a negative effect on the centres, but they can be reassured that parents and the community will continue to be involved in managing the centres. Parents have always been a key partner in running the centres.'
All contracts for operation of the centres were due to expire at the end of March but have been extended to the end of the year. New contracts are to run from January 2012.
Aynols Reid, chair of Smethwick Sure Start, said, 'Councillor Badham has given us some reassurances over management arrangements and we are looking forward to working with the council.'
A Berkshire town's only breastfeeding support group is ending after the council said it could not afford to fund a trained worker for two hours a week.
Wokingham Borough Council said it was facing a tough financial situation and that it was unable to meet the costs that were going to be charged by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) to provide support worker Karen Hall.
Ms Hall said that in the first three months of 2011, she and her student helper saw 132 different mothers. Her services had been offered free by the NCT over the past two years while she gained full qualifications.
Lynda Duff, neighbourhood partnership manager and strategic lead for children's centres, said, 'It was a difficult decision but unfortunately, owing to the tough financial climate, we are not in a position to ask the NCT to run these sessions.'
