Are buildings providing frontline services really just buildings?

Late last year West Sussex County Council warned the public it would have to make damaging cuts to services if extra funding from central government did not materialise.

This is due to the increased pressure it faces on services, especially during the pandemic and ever decreasing financial support provided by Westminster.

Last week the county council announced plans to close the vast majority of children and family centres, often referred to as ‘Sure Start’ facilities. Under the plans Horsham would be left with just one centre, with those in the district’s main villages axed.

Explaining the rationale for the cuts, cabinet member for children and young people Jacquie Russell said: “Rather than expecting vulnerable children and families to come to us, our plan is for our staff to go to them. These proposals are about doing the best we can for vulnerable children and families.”

The county council says Early Help services are not set to disappear but would be delivered in a different way and not tied to one physical location.

An online petition calling for the cuts to be stopped has already been signed by more than 3,600 people, showing that many people disagree with the county council’s proposed course of action.

If the public wants to save these centres it is time for them to make their voices heard, either by writing directly to the county council, signing the petition or sending letters to the County Times for publication.