During the former Labour Government's spending spree, WMDC got a government grant to set up and support a number of children's centres that have effectively been providing nursery, daycare and early year services alongside registered nurseries, daycare and child minder services. The government grant like many Labour Government schemes allowed the setting up but stopped after two years with councils expected to pick up the tab through the general rates. Most local authorities made other arrangements, Wakefield however funded the difference between the costs and the income from the rates. Pomfret Nursery along with two other council operated centres was in jeopardy as Wakefield needed to use what was unallocated money on other projects and services.
We were advised that the council had been looking for an organisation to take this service on, had no success.
The three South Ward Councillors were given an initial briefing in November and we asked some simple questions. "What is the shortfall?" "How much is that per child?" "Has anybody asked the parents what they think about offering them the chance to operate the centre or make a payment to bridge the gap?"
It would seem not. WMDC appeared to have given little thought to finding a way forward and seemed to want to drop this like a hot potato rather than finding a way for the centre to continue.
UPDATED
Pleased to say sanity broke out and following discussions involving the Leader of the Council, the CEO and local councillors a lifeline was thrown, our MP took a part, the parents and key staff came forward with a request to operate the nursery themselves.
If the closure had gone through parents would have has to find alternative provision for 64 children and the jobs of the 12 centre staff would have be in jeopardy.
After a long hard slog the parents with support have been able to make a successful bid to operate the nursery as a not for profit organisation and are going from strength to strength.
We were advised that the council had been looking for an organisation to take this service on, had no success.
The three South Ward Councillors were given an initial briefing in November and we asked some simple questions. "What is the shortfall?" "How much is that per child?" "Has anybody asked the parents what they think about offering them the chance to operate the centre or make a payment to bridge the gap?"
It would seem not. WMDC appeared to have given little thought to finding a way forward and seemed to want to drop this like a hot potato rather than finding a way for the centre to continue.
UPDATED
Pleased to say sanity broke out and following discussions involving the Leader of the Council, the CEO and local councillors a lifeline was thrown, our MP took a part, the parents and key staff came forward with a request to operate the nursery themselves.
If the closure had gone through parents would have has to find alternative provision for 64 children and the jobs of the 12 centre staff would have be in jeopardy.
After a long hard slog the parents with support have been able to make a successful bid to operate the nursery as a not for profit organisation and are going from strength to strength.
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