- Kay Mitchell is urging the council to confirm that family centres and libraries will remain open following budget discussions, expressing concern over terms like “right-sizing” and “fit-for-purpose.”
- The Green Party calls for long-term investment in front-line services, warning that cuts to libraries and family centres will lead to future social problems, including family breakdown and increased pressure on other services.
- Kay argues that libraries are essential community hubs, offering far more than just books, and should evolve to include services like tool and item lending.
Former Children’s Centre Manager and Green Party campaigner, Kay Mitchell, is calling for assurances from Southend City Council regarding the future of family centres and libraries following the announcement of the council’s budget. With phrases like “right-sizing” and “fit-for-purpose” being used by the Labour-led administration in relation to services, Ms. Mitchell fears they could be code for further budget cuts that threaten vital community resources.
Ms. Mitchell raised her concerns about family centres, which she believes could play a critical role in preventing family crises and delivering a multi agency community based approach that responds to the communities identified needs.
“These are frontline services that provide essential support to residents,” Kay said.
“Libraries too are more than just places to borrow books – they act as a one-stop shop for residents, offering everything from waste bags to guidance on council services. We should be future-proofing these spaces, not cutting back on them. I’d like to see them evolve into ‘libraries of everything,’ offering services like tool lending and household items.”
Cllr Richard Longstaff, Leader of the Green Group, added, “Kay’s concerns about the future of family centres and libraries in Southend are ones I share. These spaces are invaluable to the community, offering vital resources that more than justify their cost. Any proposals for cuts – or sugar-coating as ‘right-sizing’ – are simply unacceptable, now or in future budgets. Instead, we must invest in ensuring these spaces not only meet the demands of the future but expand their reach, so more residents can access the essential services the council provides.”
The Green Party has long argued for long-term investment in front-line services, arguing that cutting such support only exacerbates the issues facing the city. Ms. Mitchell’s call for a comprehensive approach is a reminder of the ongoing tension between short-term savings and long-term community health.
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Notes to editor:
Kay Mitchell will be asking Cllr Laurie Burton at the Full Council meeting on the 20th February the following:
Under ‘Ongoing Commitment to those residents most in need of support’ it says:
The council has commenced a fundamental review of the Council’s operational estate and front-line service arrangements including Libraries and Family Centres.
The Labour led administration currently favours the terminology of ‘Rightsizing’ and ‘fit for purpose’ but I see these as alternative words for cuts rather than purposefully developing the underutilised facilities offered by our libraries and family centres. These could be embedded with a much wider scope in the community support offer, coproduced to meet resident’s needs, wrapped around multi agency delivery and core to early intervention. The leader responded in P&R that there would be no cuts to these services, but mentioned only ‘the slipper swap’ as an offer example.
What reassurance can the council give that the review intends to ensure the broadest possible range of sustainable services. embedded within residents’ communities?