People are being asked for their views on closures of the borough’s children’s centres.

Harrow Borough Council has launched a consultation about the future of the service in the face of cuts in the coming year.

It says it has "discarded" the possibility of having just one centre in the borough, but some closures are inevitable.

Thousands of parents and babies use the existing 16 centres, which provide play sessions, family learning groups, midwifery services, adult education courses and behaviour management.

But last month the Harrow Times reported the centres faced closure as it tries to save £25million in its next budget.

Mothers who use the centres have launched a campaign to stop the closures, which they say will have a damaging impact on families across the borough.

The 16 different children centres across Harrow help more than 8,100 children and their parents, based around three hubs with subsidiary "delivery points".

These include the Cedars hub with five sites, the Hillview hub with seven sites and Kenmore hub with four sites.

In online consultation documents the council said: “We have already considered, and discarded, the option of moving to one core children’s centre.

“Our aim is to ensure the sustainability of children’s centres’ services for the communities of Harrow whilst also addressing the council’s budget pressures.”

The consultation has proposed three main options which are:-

  • Have three children’s centres and four delivery points
  • Have three children’s centres and six delivery points
  • Have two children’s centres and eight delivery points

Under all three options the council says there would be closure of some sites.

The document adds: “These options will mean becoming even more targeted in our approach, whilst at the same time maintaining important services, both for families most in need and the wider community.

“We will deliver these services through developing a new staff structure, streamlining management and focusing on services for children under five-years-old and their families.”

Those interested in taking part in the consultation and finding out the full details of the council’s options can do so by clicking here.