Lib Dems Shocked at Children Centre Cuts

Today in Trowbridge Wiltshire Councils Conservative administration approved the closure of a number of Children Centres across the County.

Wiltshire's Liberal Democrats reacted with shock at this decision, which will see a number of towns losing their only children's centre.

Liberal Democrat young people spokesperson Cllr Jon Hubbard said "this is a disastrous decision to close buildings and services across the County. We accept that cuts need to be made but this decision will destroy the universality of the children's service and make it much harder for struggling parents to find the services they need to help them become good parents."

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Cllr Glenis Ansell said "These cuts to services will have a serious affect on a number of families. Cutting the Children's centres in wealthier towns will leave a huge number of parents and children disadvantaged.

This comes at the same time as changes are being made to the Wiltshire Good Neighbour Scheme. There are proposals to devolve this service down to Area Boards. Currently the service is being delivered by Community First who provided financial support but have also been able to raising funding, something that Area Boards can't do. Removing this service will leave a number of vulnerable people without the support they've come to rely on.

The Liberal Democrat Group will continue to campaign against these and other ideological cuts from this Tory administration. "We must stand up for the most vulnerable not only in the communities we represent but across Wiltshire as it is becoming increasingly clear the administration is not willing to look after them" concluded Cllr Ansell.