Campaigners will be at the Millmead Children’s Centre trade fair on Friday to help people fill out a consultation over service funding cuts.
Kent County Council wants to save £426,000 by not renewing contracts for commissioned services at Millmead centre and Seashells in Sheerness, when they end in March 2025. It is understood around £225,000 of that is funding for the centre at Dane Valley Road in Margate.
This sum is around half of the centre’s annual funding. The centre is funded in two, separate ways – the nursery (62 places) and community development and support (1104 people in June 2024).
The centre has 27 staff and seven volunteers whose roles are likely to be under threat.
The “pantry” at the rear where a foodbank and subscription food service operates from will also be at risk.
A consultation on the funding withdrawal runs until 22 September.
To help people have their say there will be a stall at the family trade fair where help will be given to complete paper copies.
The family trade fair takes place on Friday (August 16) from 10am to 2pm and will have a range of stalls from services as well as crafts and food. The large red play-bus will be on site for children under seven and there will be plenty for families.
Cllr Barry Lewis says support for the campaign has been overwhelming, with former Eastenders star Shaun Williamson (character Barry Evans) backing the bid to save both Millmead and Seashells in an online video.
East Thanet MP Polly Billington is also putting her weight behind the campaign and is calling on Kent County Council to reconsider their decision to cut the funding.
Cllr Lewis said: “I want to thank all the people who have signed petitions and filled out the consultation.
“If you come to the trade fair there will be a stand to help people fill out the paper forms. So far we have knocked on 1,500 doors, given out 300 posters and helped send off 1,400 paper consultation forms.”
Have your say
The consultation will run until 22 September.
For full details of the proposal and to have your say visit: www.kent.gov.uk/familyhubsconsultation
For queries or requests for hard copies, email [email protected]
For alternative formats, email [email protected] or call 03000 421553 (text relay service number 18001 03000 421553).
