People ‘deserve answers’ over children centre closures, says Luke Campbell

It follows a decision by East Riding Council’s Cabinet to shut centres in Beeford, Hedon, Howden and Hessle and reprovide them in schools, libraries, and church halls, saving an estimated £71,000 a year.

In a letter to East Riding council leader Anne Handley, the Mayor said he’d been contacted by worried residents and asked for a pause “while the proposed arrangements are reconsidered”.

Campaign group Mums Against Hessle Childrens Centre Closing say moving Hessle Children’s Centre to a library, which has no public toilets or baby changing facility, makes no sense. The Mayor said parents needed reassurance that “any alternative venue will offer the privacy, accessibility and practical facilities they need, particularly when caring for babies and young children.”

He said: “I respect that responsibility for these services rests with East Riding Coincil.

"Equally when residents approach their Mayor, I have a duty to ensure their concerns are properly heard.”

The council said Pocklington has trialled a community model for over a year and there’s been a significant increase in the number of families attending.

The proposals went through the council’s scrutiny process before receiving Cabinet approval.