Emotions run high at first public consultation into future of Malmesbury Children's Centre

More than 20 concerned parents attended the meeting held on Monday (5) morning at the centre, each with their own individual concerns about the plans going ahead.

Two representatives from the Wiltshire Council presented the council’s plans of reorganisation of children’s services around the county, to the room.

Lucy Bryant, Lead Commissioner at Wiltshire Council, said the council were trying to “deliver the best possible outcome under the financial constraints”.

“It was good to hear people’s opinions,” she said. “We want to stress this is not a done deal yet.
“It was a very positive meeting and we will listen to everyone’s views.”

Concerns were raised by parents over a number of issues including the loss of a regular place for parents to meet and discuss issues related to childcare.

Parents also complained about the supposed bias in the questionnaire sent out to people before the consultation, saying leading questions were used to direct people to agreeing with council plans.

Dee Douglas, a mother who uses the centre for her daughter is frustrated with the proposals being offered.

“My fears haven’t really been relayed,” she said. “I don’t think anybody here today is supportive of the proposals and it’s quite a representative group.

“The proposition of having to travel miles to get these services seems senseless to me.

“The proposals seem quite costly, so one way or the other it’s going to be expensive.

“Maybe we’ll need community fundraising events to save the centre.”

Andy Dawson has a two-year-old daughter who attends the children’s centre in Malmesbury.
He was not convinced parents’ views were going to be listened to.

“My main issue, and it was raised by a couple of people, was that there is a distinct lack of confidence in this being a genuine consultation exercise,” he said.

“It’ll take an awful lot for the council to persuade us it’s a decision that hasn’t already been made.

“I’m slightly cheered by the possibility of moving the centre into a semi-permanent home in an alternative building, but that appeared to be a new thought.

“The most valid point was that the centre provides the continuity of there being premises with valued, knowledgeable, friendly staff on site.

“What’s most important to the majority of parents is the continuity; the staff know you.

“The thought of reduced members of staff expected to do home visits or meet ups in drafty village halls instead of a purpose built building is concerning.

“If you’re sending them out into the community, there will be a drop in quality of service.

“I felt the people presenting for the council were simply there to give impression of taking parents views into account. I wasn’t convinced.”

Cllr Simon Killane of Wiltshire Council attended the consultation, but was not impressed by the council’s proposals. He said: “There was an awful lot of fragmented thinking going on.

“My assertion is the most important people are our mothers and children. I find it a little bit uncomfortable that we’re now challenging a service so important to them.

“It’s a place for them to meet and there’s no need for them to lose it. We have a Malmesbury Community Campus on the way so I see no reason why that can’t become a central hub for the delivery of a number of services.”