Opening hours at Sandwell children's centres cut back

Eight out of 20 sites across the borough have had their hours cut in a bid to reduce costs.

Council bosses had promised to keep every centre open despite needing to reduce budgets by £1.43 million in 2015/16 and £1.02 million in 2016/17.

The centres provide activities for children aged under five and their families, and some bases have more recently provided some services for older children as well.

There are five centres in West Bromwich, four in the Cradley Heath/Rowley Regis area, four in Smethwick, three in Tipton, two in Oldbury and two in Wednesbury.

The organisations which run the children's centres include Health for Living, Murray Hall Community Trust, Action for Children and Barnardo's. A three-month consultation with parents and centre operators took place last year.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services, said: "We are really pleased we still have all 20 of our locality children's centres in Sandwell. These centres remain open despite massive government cuts to our budget. None have been forced to close.

"Children's centre providers have only reduced opening hours at eight of our centres – but continue to provide services in the busiest period. Opening hours at the other 12 centres has not been reduced. We know how valued they are by families and the great job they do in helping give children the best start in life."

Hours have been reduced at Tividale Children's Centre sites at Oakham, Tividale Hall and Tividale Library, Cradley Heath & Old Hill Children's Centre, Smethwick – Uplands Children's Centre, West Bromwich Children's Centre, Brambles, part of Hillside Children's Centre in West Bromwich, and Great Bridge Children's Centre.

Most children's centres were open between 9am and 5.30pm from Monday to Thursday and 9am and 5pm on Friday and Saturday but now hours vary depending on demand. The council is also looking to change the way libraries operate in a bid to save money. It could see some sites run by more volunteers and some libraries moving to share buildings.

Sandwell Council has already ruled out closing the sites at Hill Top, West Bromwich; Oakham, Tividale; and Langley, Brandhall and Rounds Green, all at Oldbury.