Family hubs await council decision over closure

The centres are in Sheerness and Margate

The future of two children's centres described as a "lifeline for families" will be discussed by Kent County Council on Thursday.

Family hubs at Seashells in Sheerness and Millmead in Margate could close, which the council said would save £425,000 as it tries to balance its books.

Polly Billington, MP for East Thanet, has written to the government, urging it to step in to save the services.

She warned that closing the family hubs would have "drastic long-term consequences".

Polly Billington, MP for East Thanet, is against the proposed closure

In a letter to Janet Daby, the government's Minister for Children and Families, Billington urged her to "safeguard the children and families" who depend on the services.

External providers currently run the two hubs on council contracts which are due to end on 31 March 2025.

"We must decide whether to put new contracts for delivery of these services in place (re-procure the contracts) or not," said the council.

"If we do get new contracts in place, we would be required to run a new process which would be open to the current providers and any new providers to bid for the contracts."

Councillors will decide what action to recommend on Thursday, but Sue Chandler, cabinet member for integrated children’s services, will make the final decision.