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Family hub funding decision referred for vote

Michael Keohan
BBC Kent, Political Reporter
BBC County Hall sign outside Kent County Council headquarters in Maidstone.BBC
A decision to end funding for Millmead and Seashells family hubs has been referred to a full council vote

A decision to end funding for two family hubs in Kent has been referred to a full council vote.

Kent County Council (KCC) said services at Millmead, in Margate, and Seashells, in Sheerness, may not be recommissioned when contacts end on 31 March.

During a scrutiny meeting, several councillors spoke in favour of the centres, including Barry Lewis who said the idea to stop funding was "sheer stupidity."

Sue Chandler, KCC cabinet member for children's services, said she made the decision "in good faith, with the best information I had available".

The council's scrutiny committee voted unanimously to send the decision to a full council vote.

Councillor Sue Chandler (centre) takes questions from councillors over her decision to end funding for two family hubs on the isle of Sheppey and at Margate.
Councillor Sue Chandler takes questions during an "emotional" committee meeting

The authority previously said the closures could help balance its books.

Independent Sheppey councillor Mike Whiting said: "We've won a major battle today, but not the war."

Barry Lewis, an independent councillor for Margate, added: "If the full council has any sense, they'll follow our vote and keep the services where people need them."

Thanet MP Polly Billington called the decision to cancel the funding "appalling".

"Kent County Council now has no excuse for not keeping these centres where people need them most in the heart of their communities for the most deprived families in Kent," she said.

The decision will be referred to the council cabinet in the coming weeks.

It will then go before an extraordinary full council meeting, where members will vote on funding for the two centres.

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