OVER the last few weeks our county councillors, our MP and council officers have met parents across the district all saying they do not want their current centres to be run down or even closed.

In Nailsworth our county councillor has offered to try and save our service after listening to the ‘really heart wrenching stories about how important this centre is to a lot of people’.

But what about the wider picture, which seems bleak.

With other town councillors, I delivered a petition to Paul McLain the lead county councillor for children’s centres, at a county council meeting.

His response to a question on the future of the centres was chilling when he said there is not the money to keep what we have going, and anyway he did not seem to recognise the value of our centres to parents and children.

He is ignoring the parents who have found the confidence to speak up for their vital service and the Oxford University research which proves our current model works and would be even more effective if better funded.

County councillors including Dorcas Binns, could save them all, and they could make a stand with the Government intent for example on spending money to make all schools academies.

I for one want our taxes spent on a great service we already have.

There is still time to oppose this dreadful cut to our Children’s Centres as the county council consultation does not close until April 11.

Sally Thorpe

Nailsworth town councillor