ALCESTER residents are being invited to take part in a discussion about the future of Warwickshire’s children’s centres in preparation for an upcoming meeting of the children’s and young people’s overview and scrutiny select committee.

Warwickshire County Council is proposing to make savings of £2.3million by changing the delivery model for the county’s children’s centres, a move which would affect the children’s centre in Alcester.

The select committee will be meeting to look in detail at issues surrounding funding and operation of the centres, as well as discussing how the council is proposing to make the savings, and the implications for safeguarding children and tackling unsatisfactory performance.

Councillor Bob Hicks, chair of children and young people’s overview and scrutiny committee, said: “Our members put a high value on children’s centres in Warwickshire. Recent budget proposals, reducing overall funding, have brought great challenges to everyone in this service.

“We are keen to look in greater detail so that we can retain the highest possible level of services. Our select committee will provide ample opportunity for public and professional evidence to be examined.”

Parents of children attending the centres have been invited to the meeting, along with Children’s Centre Advisory Board representatives, all of whom will give evidence and case studies to the committee on their experiences of centres.

There will also be other key speakers including the council’s portfolio holder for children, young people and families, Councillor Heather Timms, county council officers, representatives from public health, the south Warwickshire Foundation Trust and the clinical commissioning groups.

Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting which starts at 10am on Wednesday, August 14, at Shire Hall in Warwick, but they can also feed comments or questions through their Children’s Centres or through Ann Mawdsley, senior democratic services officer on 01926 418079 or at annmawdsley@warwickshire.gov.uk.