WHAT DO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY NEED FROM YOUR CHILDREN’S CENTRE?

In order to ensure the best and most effective services are delivered through Children's Centres over the coming years, Bedford Borough Council is currently seeking views on the future of the services through a consultation that will run until Friday 27 July 2012.

The key issues highlighted in the consultation include:

• That Children's Centres will remain universal and open to all children and families
• No Children's Centres will close
• Information outlining why some changes are necessary to Children's Centres at this time
• The ways in which Children's Centres could be configured in order to protect frontline services

Cllr David Sawyer, Liberal Democrat Portfolio Holder for Education at Bedford Borough Council, said: "Children's Centres in other areas of the country have either closed or have been threatened with closure, but we are fully committed to protecting our centres. The aim of the consultation is to help shape the best possible use of services. We know that Children's Centres are a lifeline to so many. Going direct to the people who use the centres, to gain their views and opinions, will allow us to acquire a greater understanding on how we should prioritise services going forward."

Following the consultation, the Council will look at the information gathered from parents, partners and other sources, and a summary of our findings will be made available to those who participated in the process. The Council will then make any necessary changes to the proposed offer of services and decide upon how Children's Centres should be configured from 1 April 2013.

To take part in the consultation, submit your views via www.bedford.gov.uk/ccfuture

Or, complete a paper response form, or send your comments, to: CONSULTING BEDFORD, FREEPOST ANG5840, BEDFORD, MK40 1ZD. Forms will be available at Borough Hall reception, Town Hall reception and at all Borough libraries.

Alternatively, email your comments to: consultingbedford@bedford.gov.uk or contact the Family Information Service on 0800 023 2057.