Sefton parents protest to keep crucial children’s centres

PARENTS took to the streets to protest against cuts to children’s centres in Sefton.

The angry mums and dads walked from the Strand Shopping Centre to Bootle town hall, where they called to secure the future of vulnerable sites.




Sure Start centres in Waterloo, Thornton, Maghull, Ainsdale, Formby, and Southport are at risk as part of Sefton Council’s bid to make financial savings following the Government’s spending review.



Union representatives, workmen and people passing by showed their support by signing a petition.



While a protest was also held in Southport demonstrators held placards and sang ‘save our centres’ and ‘every child matters.’



Gill Unsworth, whose daughter attends Hudson Children’s Centre, in Maghull, said: “The council should take money from fat cats instead of closing centres. The centres offer children the opportunity to develop and a meeting place for mums. They are vital.”



Brian Leahey, 45, from Lydiate, said: “It would be a big loss. They allow dads to share time with their children on Saturdays.”



Sarah Doran, 34, from Netherton, had concerns that centres in affluent areas are more at risk than sites in poorer places and she said: “It’s not just poorer areas that need centres – it’s affluent ones too. Parents have to balance work and pay mortgages and closing them would add an extra strain.”



A meeting of Sefton’s cabinet followed by the full council will go ahead tomorrow when it will consider recommendations made about services facing cuts.



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