Ealing Labour being taken to court over Children’s Centre Closures

Ealing Liberal Democrats have been actively opposing Labour’s decision to close essential Children's centres across the borough, including:

• Tabling a formal motion to reverse the approach by Ealing Labour
• Proposing a full funded budget amendment to keep all of Ealing’s children centres open
• Provoking a full debate at Full Council
• Campaigning to keep the centres open with Save Ealing’s children’s centres
• Supporting demonstrations outside of Perceval House against Children’s Centre Closures

Ealing Labour have U turned on three of the original centre closures, although without any clear rationale. Jubilee in Ealing, Petts Hill in Northolt and Dormers Wells in Southall have been reprieved for the time being. The remaining centres targeted by Labour are set to close.

Now a legal challenge is being launched against Ealing Council saying that Ealing Labour’s policy is unlawful and that Labour has failed to consult properly. A copy of the redacted letter from lawyers Rook Irwin Sweeney to Ealing Council can be found here.

To date almost 2,500 residents have signed a petition against closure led by Save Ealing’s Children’s centres. If you have not done so already, please click on the link here to sign.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jonathan Oxley - Children (Education, Children's Services, Special Educational Needs, Fostering and Looked After Children) said: “Liberal Democrats believe that the closure of children centres is an appalling policy decision that will adversely impact many deprived and vulnerable children, leaving them isolated and struggling to access critical physical, mental and healthcare services. Ealing Labour are ignoring academic research which shows that children centres are critical to providing children with the best start in life. It is sad indictment on Ealing Labour that it requires legal action by the community to force them to listen to residents.”