DOZENS of protesters gathered outside the council offices last night in the hope of changing council leaders’ minds over the closure of seven children’s centres.

However, at a meeting of the cabinet which took place later in the evening, the move was confirmed and they will be decommissioned by March next year.

The protest was organised by the People’s Assembly and its members were joined by parents and opposition councillors.

Earlier this year it was announced the council was closing the centres in a bid to save almost £800,000 in the face of large scale budget pressures.

Over the summer a public consultation was held to get the views of users and 2,000 people responded. Several petitions against the proposals were also handed in.

Last night cabinet members pressed ahead with the plans but also set aside £194,000 to help parents in Highworth and to employ four health workers to work across the rest of the town.

The Butterflies and West Swindon Children centres will become multi-generational centres on two thirds of their current funding.

Mother-of-two Wendy Cutter was among those who were protesting against the plans.

She said: “We are here to make our voices heard and to tell the council we are unhappy “When they cut children’s centres last year we were told there would be no more closures which is not what has happened.

“We are not able to call the councillors liars but they have gone back on their word. Children’s centres are vitally important to helping vulnerable children.

Tony Hillier, of the People’s Assembly, said: “So much of the country’s wealth is controlled by a minority and it is the rest who are left to pay.

“We are here to change that and tell politicians of all colours that the welfare of children is the most important thing.”

Coun Fionuala Foley (Con, Chiseldon and Lawn), the cabinet member for children services, said: “We are facing £50 million worth of cuts over the next few years so it is very difficult.

“The increase in our health visitor numbers by April will mean more can go into the homes of vulnerable families.

“I have listened to the consultation and that is why we are doing something with Ladybird providing £150,000 to support the most vulnerable families in Swindon.

“The next process is to work with professionals to make sure the multi-generational centres provide a service that helps families in their geographical areas.”

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