THE CHARITY which runs Evergreen Children’s Centre in Malvern Link has today (Thursday) said it is future is secure for the ‘foreseeable future’.
Action For Children’s reassurance follows strong concerns from parents and users of the Worcester Road centre who were sent a letter last week which stated it would close from October but for it to be retracted for ‘political reasons’ just minutes later after reading it.
However services at the centre could be transferred to other Worcestershire County Council run services as the charity and the council negotiate a ‘transition plan’ working forward to protect the centre from closure.
Earlier this year the county council announced plans to cut £1.5million from its early years budget after it asked for the public’s opinion on the future use of its owned centres.
But fears were raised over Evergreen’s future given that the county council provide its owners financial support to run it.
Jan Stoll, operational director for children’s services in the West Midlands said: “To maintain continuity, the centre will remain open for the foreseeable future and we will keep partners and families informed as the transition plan is implemented.”
“Unlike the other children’s centres in Malvern, the building hosting Evergreen Children’s Centre is leased privately and is subject to a different set of considerations when assessing future operational arrangements.
“We are working closely with the council on a transition plan regarding the re-location of services to council owned buildings in line with other centres in Malvern to maximise service delivery for families.”
A protest about cuts to children’s centre funding taking place tomorrow (Friday) has been organised by the Malvern Hills NCT group.
Dozens of worried parents are set to make their feelings heard outside County Hall, Worcester starting from 10.30am.
