Polly has called for the Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, Sue Chandler, to resign over the council’s attempts to shut the Millmead Children’s Centre by underhand means.

Her call followed the latest in a long line of erratic and damaging decision-making by Kent County Council over the future of the centre, which the council threatened with closure, then promised to save, before abruptly announcing a funding cut of nearly 90% just weeks later.

Polly said it was clear Kent County Council was determined to see the centre closed and that Sue Chandler should resign over the chaos and incompetence surrounding the decision, which had done lasting damage to Millmead and the local community that depends on its services.

She said:

Local councillors and the Millmead families have fought hard to fight Kent County Council’s short-sighted and damaging decision to close Millmead, which is why we were all relieved when they succeeded in bringing the issue back before full council and getting the decision overturned last month.

 

So it’s shocking that after committing to save the centre just a few weeks ago, the Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, Sue Chandler, has this week announced a devastating 90% funding cut that is clearly intended to force Millmead’s closure by underhand means.

 

This shameless stitch-up is completely unacceptable and an undemocratic slap in the face to the councillors that voted to save Millmead last month.

 

Kent has been given a £4.1 million funding boost by our Labour government to fund family hubs this year, and families in one of most deprived wards rely on Millmead for vital services. But it seems Sue Chandler is determined to close this essential community resource come hell or high water.

 

The chaotic and incompetent decision-making by KCC about Millmead has gone on long enough. Sue Chandler should resign so that someone can lead KCC’s children’s services who can get a grip on this dysfunction and act to protect these vital services in one of the most disadvantaged parts of Kent.