DEPUTY leader of Bolton Council Cllr Linda Thomas has stressed that the future of children's centres was "never about closures" as campaigners announced they are to hold a protest against the authority's controversial proposals.

Cllr Thomas said that the authority was committed to maintaining the service as the consultation ended before councillors rule on the plans — which could lead to a reduction in the number of children's centres.

Under the council’s plans — which it hopes will save £1.5 million — the Family Support, Early Years and Childcare and Children’s Centre services will be merged into a new Start Well service.

New teams will operate from seven Start Well community hubs across the south, north and west areas of the borough.

The council plans to keep the remaining children’s centre buildings open for use by the wider community — but they will need to be managed by a school or third sector party.

Campaigners say they will lobby councillors over the proposals and hold a protest outside the town hall on Wednesday.

Cllr Thomas said: "Children’s centres are very important to the council and I want to thank our service users and staff who have taken part in the consultation.

"I want to be clear that the children’s centres review was always a redesign of early years and family support services — it was never about closures.

"Prior to consultation, we had conversations with local schools to see how they could help and support us continue the work of the satellite children’s centres and develop them alongside the major hubs across the borough.

"I am really pleased with the outcome of these deliberations. Unfortunately we were unable to share the vast majority of this work because we had to give schools time to discuss this with their governing bodies and agree a way forward.

"By looking at the future of children's centres from a partnership point of view we are confident we can secure their future.

"In due course we will be able to share with the public how we intend to maintain this service."

Campaigners will gather from 6.30pm onwards before a full meeting of Bolton Council and will call on councillors not to slash the number of centre’s operating in Bolton.

A spokesman for the campaign  said: "I am really pleased that Bolton TUC and supporters of the Save Bolton Children's Centres have decided to hold a lobby of Bolton Council.

"The more people hear about proposals to close local children's centres, the more opposition there is. People really value these centres and the support that they provide to local children and their families. "Many families are struggling financially in the current climate. These local centres offer a real lifeline. We must fight to keep them open."

Campaigners said that the Save Bolton Children's Centres campaign recently received backing from local Labour party members at a meeting of Bolton West Labour party.

See Cllr Thomas talking about children's centre by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV3x4uMQHiw