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To: Bucks County Council, Bucks MP’s

Save Buckinghamshire's Children's Centres-Delay decision - new council should decide in 2020

We ask you to delay the decision to close or downgrade children's centres as it has been decided that a new single unitary authority (new council) will be formed. All 35 children's centres in Buckinghamshire should remain open full time and any decision about their future should be made by the new authority

Why is this important?

The option to invest in Early Help Services and keep all children's centres open should be considered now that a decision on the unitary authority has been made. With the council said to make savings of £18.2m per year (Net 5 year revenue of £45.4m) when the new authority is formed, the decision should be delayed until then. By closing all 35 children’s centres, the Council wish to make a saving of £3.1m in early help overall. However, if they are saving £18.2m per year with the unitary, then why not wait until this is in place and look at investing in Early Help services to improve them?
All options on the current consultation involve making cuts and are inadequate. In addition, there is no 'other' option (see question 18 consultation) when having to decide what their preferred choice is, people are feeling as if they have been forced to chose an option they don't necessarily agree with. Investing in children, prevention and health will lead to savings overall and in the long run. Closing children’s centres in the long run will affect children, their families and could lead to isolation and an increase in mental health issues.
For more information, see link https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/care-for-children-and-families/improving-early-help-services-for-children-young-people-and-families/consultation-process/
(public consultation closes 11pm 13th December 2018)
Buckinghamshire

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Updates

2019-06-23 11:05:18 +0100

2nd & 3rd July 10am-4pm Judicial review Parent (via her son) vs Bucks County Council against closures of children’s centres .
On thé 13th June thé judge granted an order for a judicial review. The parent has launched a legal challenge against Bucks County Council. The case will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand to challenge their decision of closing the children’s centres in Buckinghamshire . The mother is a resident of High Wycombe and a campaigner of Save Bucks Children’s Centres . Please come along and show your support .

Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd July : 9.30am join us for a demonstration/protest and bring your banners
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London. Click here to let us know your attending https://www.facebook.com/events/440531473346470/?ti=icl

2019-06-06 22:31:33 +0100

Parent (via her son) vs Bucks County Council . A parent is taking Bucks County Council to the High Court on Thursday 13th June to challenge their decision of closing the children’s centres in Buckinghamshire . The mother is a resident of High Wycombe and a campaigner of Save Bucks Children’s Centres . Please come along and show your support .

Thursday 13th June 2019: Exact time tbc
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London. Click here to let us know your attending https://www.facebook.com/events/384791312244974/?ti=icl

2018-12-17 16:09:34 +0000

500 signatures reached

2018-12-17 10:56:06 +0000

Please join us https://www.facebook.com/groups/savebuckinghamshireschildrenscentres/about/

2018-12-13 09:19:45 +0000

100 signatures reached

2018-12-13 07:56:00 +0000

50 signatures reached

2018-12-13 06:36:58 +0000

25 signatures reached

2018-12-13 04:23:33 +0000

10 signatures reached