MONDAY’S BIG DEBATE: What do you think of plans to close children’s centres in Derbyshire?

The axe could fall on a number of children’s centres across Derbyshire under controversial cost-cutting plans.
Derbyshire County Council's Matlock HQ.Derbyshire County Council's Matlock HQ.
Derbyshire County Council's Matlock HQ.

Derbyshire County Council (DCC) is to launch a public consultation on proposals to close seven unidentified centres to save £1.1m.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE PROPOSED CUTS? HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR ONLINE POLL TO THE RIGHT AND COMMENT BELOW.

In addition, the consultation will consider plans to start charging parents to use children’s centres and possible job cuts.

The centres provide a number of services including education and daycare for under-fives and health and jobs advice for parents.

DCC is having to make a raft of “devastating” decisions in a bid to slash £157m from its budget over the next four years because of Government cuts.

On the Derbyshire Times’ Facebook page, Andy Slack said: “The unfairness of the Government grant settlement means inevitable casualties sadly.”

Kelly Cameron added: “Maybe the bigwigs should cut their bonuses.”

DCC leader Councillor Anne Western said: “We really don’t want to make these devastating cuts – we don’t relish this at all.

“We’re facing massive financial pressures like never before and that means we’ve got some difficult decisions to make.”

Councillors look set to approve the five-week consultation, starting on May 12 and ending on June 17, when they meet next week.