Stoke-on-Trent City Council was considering closing the children's centres as part of a move to save around £33m over the next four years (News, 18 November 2010). But following a public consultation, the council has announced that it intends to protect the settings.
The council has decided to close libraries, care homes and a swimming pool instead of the children's centres.
Mohammed Pervez, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said, 'During our consultation process we listened to our residents and elected members. They expressed concern about the closure of children's centres and emphasised their importance within our communities. This has led us to protect all the centres in our proposals. We are also proposing to keep the respite care for disabled children at weekends. I think these two key changes from the original budget proposals gives a clear demonstration that we want to protect the most vulnerable in our city.'
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