There was a really good debate at Thetford Town Council meeting last night about the possible closure of Children's Centres. I'm so pleased that the Town Council unanimously agreed to my proposal that we (the Council) would write to Norfolk County Council formally objecting to the closure. Several Councillors made some really good contributions about why children's centres should not be closed. The Town Council agreed they would also be doing more to promote the consultation locally. Here's my notes that I read out at the meeting;
1. Thetford was not afforded a specific consultation session, and when one was organised, it was not widely promoted by Norfolk County Council. This is very disappointing. Further, Councillors have not been provided with hard copies of the consultation form until well into the consultation period.
2. Staff at Thetford, with significant experience and expertise, were not consulted or made aware in advance of public notice about these proposals. The staff, who know far more than any Councillor, should be respected and listened to, to a much greater extent, and their views used to shape alternative proposals.
3. The consultation itself is unclear and confusing. Online primarily with ambiguous and misleading questions.
4. The current delivery model is working. Children's centres are working! Norfolk County Council’s own statistics show that the centre’s are reaching 75% or more of their target audience. How many Council services can claim such a success rate? The narrative surrounding the proposals is not sufficiently respectful of the good work that's being undertaken and implies the service is not working - which is not the case.
5. Thetford is an area of entrenched deprivation. Within top 10% in the UK. Significant demand locally for services provided by children’s centres.
6. Crucial to a child’s development that support is available from a young age. Without such support, development may be compromised and much more difficult, and costly, to rectify in later years. We have issues with poor educational attainment locally already which will be exacerbated if children's centres close. Thetford Academy obtained some of the worst GCSE results in Norfolk this year (believed to be second worst in County).
7. NCC proposal relies on other buildings being available for activities when children's centres close – but there has been no review in Thetford of availability and suitability of such venues. Local knowledge would suggest there are few buildings available (that's why children's centres were created, the one at Kingsway purpose built for its use).
8. Proposals do not take into account rurality and a lack of public transport. Thetford is a market town.
9. Social mobility is a major issue in Breckland, of the 324 local authorities in England, Breckland is ranked at 300 in terms of poor social mobility. That’s a worse position that Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Kings Lynn.
10. The new proposal has not been properly quantified – how many sessions will be delivered? And where? No evaluation of time travelling to venues, taking equipment etc. cost of hiring other buildings.
11. Let’s face it – we’ve already lost so much in Thetford. Youth Service - gone. Youth Centre on Croxton Road - gone. Connexions - gone. Adult Education base at Tanner House - gone. Elm Road pupil referral unit and social services base - gone. Teaching Assistants in Schools - reduced significantly. Schools in Thetford alone have lost £817,647 – between 2015-2020. Where does it end? Council now wanting to reduce services for babies. Enough is enough.
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