Ealing Lib Dems challenge Labour's closure of at least 10 children’s centres

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jonathan Oxley has been actively challenging Ealing Labour not to close any of the essential Children’s centres across the borough. He provoked a debate at Full Council where he showed why Children’s Centres are absolutely vital to ensuring a better start to a child’s life.

Most recently, eight children’s centres have been proposed for closure following a recent consultation. They are Acton (Maples), Ealing (Hathaway and Log Cabin), Greenford (Windmill), Northolt (Northolt Park) and Southall (Grove, Windmill and Greenfields) plus two are being de-designated Copley Close in Hanwell and Academy Gardens in Northolt. This includes reducing SEND provision at sites in Ealing and Greenford, as well as child-care provision.

Liberal Democrats believe that this is privatisation by Ealing Labour, as some facilities will be managed privately, and is likely to result in worse outcomes for the youngest in our population (aged 0 to 5 years old) as well as job losses for skilled staff working at the centres. It will negatively affect the most vulnerable in our community.

Ealing Labour, after pressure from the Liberal Democrats and local campaigners, have U-turned by reinstating three centres which were pencilled in for closure. If they had gone ahead Ealing Labour would be presiding over the closure of half (12) of its borough wide children’s centres! Instead, they are now reducing the closure number by reinstating three centres - Jubilee in Ealing, Petts Hill in Northolt and Dormers Wells in Southall. Eight centres across five towns remain under threat.

To date almost 2,000 local 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 Spokesperson (Education, Children's Services, Special Educational Needs, Fostering and Looked After Children) said: “Liberal Democrats believe that these closures will affect many deprived and vulnerable members of our community who rely on these localised services leaving them isolated and struggling to access critical physical, mental and social healthcare for their children. For the Labour party to reduce these services for the very youngest children and families goes against all the early years evidence which shows that it is critical to giving our children the best start in life. Liberal Democrats want to see every Children’s Centre kept open.”