Kent County Council to Vote on Closure of Two Children’s Centers

Kent County Council is scheduled to discuss the status of two children’s centers, characterized as a “lifeline for families,” on Thursday. The potential closure of the family hubs located at Seashells in Sheerness and Millmead in Margate is under consideration, a move the council states would generate savings of £425,000 as it endeavors to manage its finances. Polly Billington, the Member of Parliament for East Thanet, has appealed to the government in writing, pressing for intervention to preserve these services. She cautioned that the cessation of operations for these family hubs would lead to “drastic long-term consequences.” In her correspondence addressed to Janet Daby, the government’s Minister for Children and Families, Billington implored her to “safeguard the children and families” reliant on these provisions. The two hubs are presently operated by external providers under council contracts, which are set to expire on 31 March 2025. The council stated, “We must decide whether to put new contracts for delivery of these services in place (re-procure the contracts) or not.” It further explained, “If we do get new contracts in place, we would be required to run a new process which would be open to the current providers and any new providers to bid for the contracts.” On Thursday, councillors are expected to determine which course of action to propose, although Sue Chandler, the cabinet member for integrated children’s services, holds the authority for the ultimate decision.