TOWN leader and county councillor Adam Carew this week criticised plans to close Bordon’s Chase Children’s Centre, saying the plan sent “entirely the wrong message” to residents at a time of “massive regeneration”.

The Chase Children’s Centre is in the firing line as Hampshire County Council tries to “transform and modernise” early help services.

The council has launched a public consultation on proposals to develop a “new, single, integrated family-support service”.

The remodelling is set to see the closure of the Chase Children’s Centre in Bordon and the Heath Children’s Centre in Petersfield. This would leave the Bushy Leaze centre in Alton to provide the family support service hub for the whole of East Hampshire.

Although the Chase and Heath centres will be made available for “alternative community use”, Mr Carew has “deep concerns” about the plans and urged anyone who felt the same to write to the county council.

As county councillor for Whitehill, Bordon and Lindford, Mr Carew said: “As far as I know, nothing is decided but I have written to portfolio holder (for children’s services) Keith Mans expressing my deepest concern, especially in the light of the regeneration, new schools and expected extensions at Bordon infant and junior schools.

“I would have thought it could be incorporated into the administration because the centre’s already physically on site (at Bordon Junior School in Budds Lane) and is co located with children’s charity Home-Start WeyWater.”

The county council has to battle a funding shortfall of £98m by April 2017, and has decided that £21.5m must be saved from the children’s services budget.

It is thought that much of these savings could be achieved by combining centres and implementing a “streamlined management and operating structure”.

These changes will amalgamate the work of early help hubs, children’s centre services and youth support services, while aligning closely with the Supporting (Troubled) Families Programme.

Staffing levels (300 employees across Hampshire) are expected to reduce overall by up to 60 per cent, with effect from early 2017.

Mr Carew said there was “an enormous squeeze on the public sector due to cuts from Government”, but added: “I am deeply concerned and opposed to any closure here in Whitehill and Bordon as I believe it sends entirely the wrong message to our community at a time of hope for the future and massive regeneration. County is investing heavily in the town already but I would like it to look again at the Chase Children’s Centre before any decision is made. We should not overlook the fact that it is also as important to families from Lindford.

“We have one of the youngest populations in East Hampshire and some of the most deprived wards. There is a serious need to provide support and advice for parents and families in this area, irrespective of the Garrison’s move.

“There are still a number of civilian and service families who use this service and, given our historic public transport issues, expecting families to travel to Alton is not realistic or reasonable.

“I think the portfolio holder is in an invidious position as he has to make economies. I do not know any councillor who likes having to make cuts to public services but the whole public sector is under massive change and councils up and down the country are being forced to make massive savings, working smarter and leaner, to provide value for taxpayers’ money and keep public services alive.

“I am sure every angle will be considered prior to any final decision, but I would urge anyone who is using, or has used, the centre to write and let county know how important the Chase Children’s Centre is to our area.

“Irrespective of the final outcome, councillor Mans (who is also deputy leader of the county council) is a decent human being and I am sure he will listen carefully to our local concerns.”

Children’s centres have operated in Hampshire since 2004, and work with families to support pre-school children’s development and readiness for school. The centres also provide advice on parenting, healthy lifestyles, employment and training.

Action for Children operates the Chase, and 52 other centres in Hampshire, on behalf of the county council. Independent charity Home-Start WeyWater has an office at the Chase Centre and occasionally uses the venue.

Home-Start’s senior co-ordinator Angela Small said the proposals would affect the charity but she could not say exactly how.

* A petition has been launched on campaign website http://www.change.org" TARGET="_blank">www.change.org resisting the county council’s proposals. As of Wednesday this week it had more than 1,500 signatures.

To take part in the council’s consultation visit http://www.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services-consultation" TARGET="_blank">www.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services-consultation, e-mail [email protected]">[email protected], or call 0300 555 1384. The consultation ends on May 3.