HUNDREDS of signatures have been presented to Swindon Council by mothers across Highworth calling for the Ladybird Children’s Centre to be saved.

Under plans to save £800,000, the council proposes a reduction in the service of Sure Start centres across the borough.

While centres in Penhill and Pinehurst, Moredon, Drove and Gorse Hill serve the most vulnerable children and funds have been ringfenced, the Highworth Ladybird Centre faces closure and being given over to community use.

Mayor of Highworth Pam Adams started a petition after speaking to disaffected mothers at a consultation event two weeks ago, and it has attracted more than 250 signatures.

“Swindon Council have decided to focus on those deprived areas and ask mothers from other areas to travel,” said Pam. “The nearest centre to Highworth would be Penhill, and if you haven’t got a car you simply are not going to make it.

“Highworth is a particular case in point because we are seven miles outside of Swindon. Generally you would have to take two buses to get anywhere specific in Swindon.

“I went to the consultation event two weeks ago, and it has been asked why young mothers do not run the service voluntarily, because that is not costing the council anything.

“Many young mothers have a baby and one or two other children, and if you ask volunteers to do it there is the question of how long they will stay.

“A lot of people have commented on the difference between volunteers and professionals running a service.

“They would not have the time to do it and would not be reliable to be there every day. They all felt that they would prefer professionals.

“I think the proposals are short-sighted, because what we do not offer a child at one or two, they will be catching up on when they are four or five, and it will cost the council more in the long run. I have just retired from teaching, and you meet 15-year-olds who are still struggling because they did not have that step up. I think the alternative is to look at the budget and decide what the priorities are going to be.”

The cabinet member for children services, Coun Fionuala Foley (Con, Chiseldon and Lawn), said of the decision: “We are looking at finding up to £48m worth of savings over the next three years.

“Doing nothing about it is not an option and so difficult decisions have to be made. With this move I have made sure the most vulnerable children will be protected. There are some areas where parents will have to travel further and for that I am sorry. But while it may be inconvenient, they will still have access to a centre.

“We have had to look at the areas of need and prioritise where the service is needed. From a financial perspective, this is the hardest decision I have ever had to make.”