Science centre for for city centre riot schools is victim of council cuts (From The Bolton News)

Science centre for for city centre riot schools is victim of council cuts

9:02am Saturday 4th September 2010 in

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A £3 MILLION science and technology centre in Farnworth has become the latest victim of the cuts sweeping Bolton Council.

The council took over the running of the building in 2008 with the intention that schools would use the facility to drive science and technology learning in a purposebuilt facility.

But town hall chiefs claim the demand for services has never materialised, which means the teaching and learning aspect of the centre, in Minerva Road, is being axed.

The centre will continue to offer conferencing facilities and provide a base for the reconfigured schools improvement team.

Cllr Ebrahim Adia, Executive member for children’s services, said: “Schools will still be able to use the centre as a facility and the equipment will still be there.

“There has not been the demand that was expected as schools keep a closer eye on their individual budgets, and by taking away the teaching and learning element of the centre, we can make savings of about £120,000.”

One of the flagship Labour initiatives, Inspiring Communities, has also been axed by the coalition Government which means work to lift the aspirations of youngsters in Tonge with the Haulgh will end immediately.

Two other schemes, Find Your Talent and Study Support, which give children help to find their calling in life, have also seen funding stopped.

Cllr Adia said: “It is very disappointing because while it is too early to evaluate the impact these have had, the early feedback we have received from residents who have taken part suggest it was making a difference.”

Also included in the latest round of cuts is a merger of the Sports, Health and Inclusion, and Youth and Play teams, and a reduction to equipment, recruitment, advertising, training, support and placement costs for dealing with children with disabilities.

Cllr Adia said: “We must deliver efficiencies and savings of around 40 per cent over the next four years, which equates to around £15 million for 2011-12.

“Each department has been set a savings target and children’s services must make £3.7 million savings, and efficiencies will be made across several areas of the service.

“We will be consulting and communicating regularly with all staff, unions, customers, residents and partner organisations to manage the impact of these reductions fairly, and aim to minimise the impact on front-line service delivery wherever possible.”