Closure of multiple children's centres in Luton confirmed as petition to save them 'virtually ignored'

Some 15 Flying Start children's centres in Luton are due to close as part of the emergency budget agreed last July, which identified £22m in savings.

During a meeting of Luton Borough Council's executive committee, Liberal Democrat Crawley councillor Terry Keens said: "The petition was virtually ignored, which was one of the largest sent to the council."

Describing the new replacement service as "slightly bureaucratic," councillor Keens added: "We wondered if the children's day centres, which are a lifeline in some areas, could be merged together and run by volunteers with help from local churches and mosques?"

The consultation received 1,251 responses, while the petition contained 1,751 signatures, according to a report to the executive.

The children's centres due to close include:

> Flying Start Central children’s centres at Denbigh Infants School and Stopsley Baptist Church;

> Flying Start North children’s centres at Limbury Community Centre, Redgrave Gardens and Gill Blowers Nursery, Leabank;

> Flying Start South children’s centres at Park Town, Whipperley and The Mall;

> Flying Start West children’s centres at Dallow, Pastures Way Nursery, Foxdell, Beechwood, Mossdale Court, Leagrave and Chaul End Community Centre.

Labour Farley councillor Mahmood Hussain said: "Everyone in the council and the public values children centres because they provide an excellent service.

"We had no other choice because we have to do the statutory part of the service.

"Protecting the most vulnerable children is the statutory duty of this council.

"We're talking with the faith community as well as some of our voluntary sector colleagues and the Early Years Alliance," explained councillor Hussain who's the portfolio holder for people with responsibility for children's health and wellbeing.

"We'll also be working with our maintained nurseries to provide some of the services."

Labour High Town councillor Andy Malcolm said: "The feedback from the community showed a strength of opinion about the loss of the universal elements of the service, such as the special education needs and disability (SEND) play activities."

Labour Lewsey councillor Aslam Khan described the savings as "painful and difficult for us," adding: "But these hard decisions have to be made.

"We'll continue consulting with the voluntary and faith organisations about how we can provide these services in a different way."

The executive approved three recommendations, including "the development and implementation of the Luton integrated family partnership service" which will target vulnerable children and those most in need of support services.

It agreed to end the current universal children’s centres to meet savings targets, and to support exploring alternative delivery models.

The new service is due to start operating in April.