Children's centre jobs in Walsall axed to save £5m
Almost 40 children's centre jobs will be cut, while bus passes and taxi rides for some parents of disabled children will be scrapped as Walsall Council tries to claw back £5 million from children's services, it was revealed today.
Walsall Council needs to save £19m in 2014/15, including £5m from the children's services department, and £100m over five years.
Today, the extent of the cuts can be unveiled as bosses lay out plans to make up the shortfall.
It comes after the council announced that 332 jobs would be lost across the authority, including 88 in children's services – seven of which are already vacant
Fewer bus passes will be issued to parents of children with disabilities and special educational needs in a bid to save £200,000.
The authority needs to save £19m in 2014/15, including £5m from the children's services department, and £100m over five years.
Council bosses admitted they were facing difficult decisions as some 37 staff would be made redundant from children's centres, while some taxi journeys for families paid for by the council could also be cut to save £100,000.
Councillor Rachel Andrew, portfolio holder for children's services in Walsall Council coalition, said: "It's been well documented that the council needs to save £100 million over the next five years, meaning difficult decisions have to be made both now and in the years ahead.
"It's important to remember that all the savings options put forward are still proposals and no firm decisions have been made yet.
"Consultation has taken place with a wide range of people including residents, service users, councillors, the business sector, staff, voluntary and community organisations, and all the feedback will be presented to cabinet at its meeting on December 11.
"The final proposals will then go to full council for approval in February."
The authority has warned cutting taxi journeys could make it difficult for foster carers taking children on placements.
A report to an upcoming scrutiny committee meeting says 'not providing transport for some customers' is an option. It adds: "Some will no longer get taxis provided for them.
"This may impact on children being transported to school, recreational activities and transport for them and their parents to contact sessions."
Some £930,000 will also be slashed from the children's centres budget – though chiefs have previously vowed that all 18 sites will remain open.
The report estimates up to 37 staff could be made redundant.
It says money will be saved by the 'removal of some management and other support roles that are not integral to the delivery of the core purpose of children's centres'.
Services such as baby massage that are currently free could be charged for in future, or provided externally.
But bosses claim a consultation in June and July with service users 'broadly supported' the changes.
The children's services department came under fire last year when Ofsted judged safeguarding services and its capacity to improve as inadequate – though it has since improved to be adequate.
