Decision delayed over fate of childcare facility

The decision over whether to close Oscars has been deferred

A decision to close a childcare facility has been delayed until November.

Oscars, in Hartlepool, has provided families with out of school and holiday provision for more than 15 years.

However, the local authority-run facility operates at a significant loss and its fate was set to be decided by councillors on Tuesday.

Labour's Rachel Creevy said the decision would be deferred until the council's next children's services meeting, following "concerns" around the potential closure.

She said officials were looking "to further engage with staff and parents who use the service", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"We will use this time to further reassess all current provision in Hartlepool to ensure that there is adequate coverage of after school and holiday care," she said.

"We are not prepared to make a decision until every option has been explored."

Currently operating out of Golden Flatts Primary School, Oscars has an average of about a dozen children a day using out of school provision and had 21 using holiday provision at the last Easter break.

The service has an annual budget of £18,000 but operates at a cost far higher, with an estimated overspend for this year currently standing at £30,000.

Five members of staff would be affected if the centre closes.