TWO children’s centres in the Northwich area will have their services ‘reduced’ as part of a council scheme to save £1.14million.

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) cabinet discussed the review of the borough’s 15 children’s centres at a meeting on Tuesday, September 20, and voted in favour of the proposals to reduce services at seven of them.

The new model will see eight children’s centres labelled as ‘main sites’ and will maintain a full service. The eight will include Northwich’s Victoria Road centre and both Winsford centres, Wharton and Greenfields.

There will then be seven centres that will be reduced to ‘link sites’ with a reduction of services offered and opening hours. The new link sites will include the Weaverham and Barnton Children’s Centre at Barnton Primary School in Townfield Lane and the Leftwich Children’s Centre in Old Hall Road.

Cllr Nicole Meardon, cabinet member for children and families, said: “This approach will allow us to deliver an innovative and ambitious service for 0 to 19-year-olds which I am confident will greatly improve outcomes for our children and families in west Cheshire.

“Our first priority in our council plan - Helping the Borough to Thrive - is to ensure our children, families and young people get the best start in life. This new integrated single service will be developed as a Starting Well Service and will allow us to deliver an inclusive service for 0 to 19-year-olds.

“We will work flexibly with schools, health and early years education and childcare partnerships. Aligning health visiting, school nursing and children’s centre services will ensure a seamless transition between ages and stages of development.

“For example, children will be supported to help them develop well and be ready for school. This will lead to young people developing the right skills to access employment and further education in the future.”

Cuts to local government funding has meant that nationally, many children centres have been closed down or are under threat.

Despite the new model bringing cuts to children’s services, conservative CWAC councillor, Margaret Parker, described the model as an ‘excellent and ground-breaking approach.’ Cllr Parker, who is also shadow cabinet member for children and families, said: “This is an excellent and ground-breaking approach that will ensure a more cohesive service for children and families. This will place west Cheshire at the forefront of innovation for children’s services.”