CHILDREN'S centres could close in favour of new proposals for a network of 'family centres', the Chronicle has learned.
The proposals come as Barnsley Council tries to make savings of £2.5m in this service area by April next year, meaning it can't continue to deliver the existing 'children's centres model'.
Consultation on the proposals began on Friday and Coun Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesman for people, said there is a possibility some of Barnsley's children's centres could shut as a result, or at least elements of what they do will cease.
Coun Cheetham made it clear no decision will be made until the outcome of the consultation but warned: "Some centres may well close in their current form. We're proposing that we build on the significant work undertaken by children's centres over the last decade.
"This will mean a change in the range of services families can access so that support is available for the whole family, including those with older children."
** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated January 30. **
