Hertfordshire County Council council plans family centre closures

The council consultation on the proposed changes ran between July 10 and October 10

Twenty-six family centres face closure and users of family support services could be charged for some activities under council plans.

Hertfordshire County Council currently operates 71 family centre premises across the county.

The authority wants to reduce the cost of its family support service by about £750,000 annually.

It hopes the "de-designation" of 26 venues would save an estimated £251,195 a year.

Venues proposed for closure include those in Abbots Langley, Chorleywood and Rickmansworth

Ten of the 71 centres are staffed Monday to Friday and would not be affected by the proposals, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The remaining sites are only open when in use and are occasionally used for office space for staff or storage.

The council's family support services focus includes areas such as finding childcare, health visiting and antenatal classes.

It also provides group activity sessions such as "rhyme time", baby massage and "stay and play", which would become paid-for under the plans.

A council consultation found parents and carers were supportive of this "if the amount was reasonable, flexible, and didn't create a stigma".

Respondents suggested a reasonable charge would be between £1 and £4, including a drink and snack.

On Thursday the plans will be considered by the council's children, young people and families cabinet panel.

Those who responded to the report suggested a reasonable charge would be between £1 and £4, with a drink and snack included

The council is also struggling to fill hundreds of roles in children's services, it has emerged.

At the end of June there were 323 unfilled roles within the department, a 66.5% increase on the same period last year when there were 194.

Among the "hard-to-fill" roles, the council seeking 12 educational psychologists and 59 social workers.

There are also a reported 17 vacancies for residential care workers and senior care workers.

The vacancy rate will also be considered at Thursday's meeting.