Fears have been raised Halstead’s children centres will not be able to cope if hours are cut to save money.
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Essex County Council will discuss changes to the centres, which provide help and support to families with children under five-years-old, in a bid to try and save £2.5million.
The Acorn Centre in Beridge Road, Halstead, is set to remain open for 40 hours per week and provide a 10 hour telephone service.
But Rainbow Children’s Centre in Sible Hedingham is set to be reduced from 32 hours to five and Valley Children’s Centre in Earls Colne is set to reduce from 40 hours to 10.
Halstead Town Council has written to the county council asking that village centre opening hours are not cut as they believe it will be difficult for parents to travel to the main Acorn Centre, particularly with public transport.
Councillors are also worried the Acorn Centre will struggle to cope with the extra pressure.
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