Council approves plan for new children and family hubs
Medway Council in Kent has rubber stamped plans to shut six children's centres in a bid to remodel the service and save an estimated £1.6m.
The council initially proposed closing all 19 of its Sure Start centres and replacing them with four larger hubs.
But a public consultation which attracted 900 responses showed 85% were against the plans.
The council has now agreed to keep 13 centres open, four of which will become children and family hubs.
After the meeting to approve the decision the council tweeted: 'Cabinet has approved item 4's recommendations, incl the option to establish 4 Family & Children Hubs & 9 Children & Family Wellbeing Centres'.
Cllr Andrew Mackness, Conservative lead member for children's services, said it had been a difficult decision but the plans would still deliver a high-quality service.
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