This council calls upon Kent County Council to stop its plan cut in funding and services at the Seashells children’s centre

Proposed by: Councillor Elliott Jayes

Seconded by: Councillor Dolley Wooster

Councillor Elliott Jayes proposed a minor change to his original motion that was set out on the Agenda, which was supported by the seconder, Councillor Wooster and accepted by Members. Councillor Jayes then proposed the updated motion as follows:

“This Council requests Kent County Council do not cut services and/or funding from Seashells Childrens Centre”

Councillor Jayes said that facilities in the Borough were under attack from KCC and Sheerness was in one of the most deprived areas in the country and was the most deprived ward in Kent. He referred to plans to improve the education of the children in the area with two new secondary schools and a junior college, and the damage that the cut in KCC services could have on children’s future by cutting services to the Seashells Children’s centre. Councillor Jayes said that 2,000 children were supported by the centre in 2023, and that other alternatives such as the Sheppey Gateway and the facility in Leysdown were not suitable due to location, being open plan, no outside space and limited parking. Finally, he said that the savings made by KCC in cutting services would cost more in the long-run as services would be fragmented.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Wooster reserved her right to speak.

Members were invited to speak and made comments including:

·         Short term cuts had long term consequences;

·         KCC were in a difficult financial position, but needed to look at alternatives and consider the long term benefits to residents;

·         many residents relied on the service;

·         secondary school education was being addressed, whilst support for the early start was being reduced;

·         gave a personal account of use of the service and the positive impact it had;

·         expressed frustration at the way KCC managed their budget;

·         the centre was a structured, engaging environment and the cornerstone of early childhood development;

·         the centre was an investment in children’s future;

·         considered the motion was premature, poorly written and factually incorrect as the decision had not yet been made;

·         SBC had already written in objection;

·         if KCC could not run it, SBC should;

·         referred to the Davey report ‘Save the NHS’ which highlighted that Sure Start and family centres were the key areas for long term health;

·         it was right for SBC to let KCC know their views;

·         KCC did have difficult financial choices to make, but chose to increase Members’ allowances by 10% whilst SBC froze their Member allowances; and

·         cutting funding to this vital service was bad economics as problems would increase without early support.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Wooster said that 73p in every pound of Council Tax collected by SBC went to KCC and it was disgraceful that support was being withdrawn. She praised the staff who worked at the Seashells Children’s Centre, particularly Jim Duncan. Councillor Wooster said KCC had previously acknowledged the outstanding work it did. Councillor Wooster said that communication, support and representation from KCC to all areas of the Isle of Sheppey was poor. She advised that KCC were due to discuss funding to the Seashells Children’s Centre on 21 November 2024 and KCC Councillors would have to make their decision and face the supporters of the centre that would be in attendance.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3.1.19(2), a recorded vote was taken, and voting was as follows:

For:  Baldock, Booth, Bowen, Brawn, Carnell, Cavanagh, Chapman, Cheesman, R Clark, Eyre, C Gibson, T Gibson, Gould, Harrison, Hunt, Jackson, Jayes, Last, Lehmann, MacDonald, Marchington, B Martin, C Martin, Miller, Moore, Neal, Noe, Nundy, C Palmer, R Palmer, Perkin, Shiel, Speed, P Stephen, S Stephen, Thompson, Valls, Watson, Wooster, Winckless and Wise. Total equals 41.

Against: None. Total equals 0.

Abstain:  None. Total equals 0.

The Mayor announced the motion had been agreed.

Resolved:

(1)  This Council requests that Kent County Council do not cut services and/or funding from Seashells Childrens Centre.