The future of Leicester’s children’s center buildings is at risk

A number of buildings housing children’s centers in Leicester could close under new cost-cutting plans.

Leicester City Council, which runs 12 children’s centers in the city, said it was aiming to save around £550,000 a year in the running costs of the centres.

People were invited to have their say until June 9.

Deputy Mayor Sarah Russell said it was important to see how the potential changes would affect users.

Public consultation on the council’s plans to close some of the existing buildings opened on 13 May.

The authority said the centers offer a range of services in the community to help parents and carers with the aim of giving their child the “best start in life”.

In a statement, Ms Russell said the “reality” was that the council was in the “worst financial position” it had ever faced.

“Unfortunately, that means making some very difficult decisions about how we fund our early years services over the next few years,” she said.

“Lots of local families really appreciate and benefit from the advice, activities and support provided by the city centre’s children, young people and families.

“We need to understand how any potential changes will affect the families using our children’s centers – and which alternative places might work – before making any decisions about closing the centres.

“That’s why it’s important that people let us have their views by taking part in this consultation.”

In 2017, Leicester City Council said the number of local children’s centers had been reduced from 23 to 12.

The authority said the move was due to national cuts to the government grant that funded them.