Horsham Labour Party member, Christine Conibear, wrote about the Children and Family Centres in this letter to the West Sussex County Times, which was printed in today's paper.I think it is important to correct the misleading information regarding Children and Family Centres provided by A.D. Kent in his letter (July 17). Mr. Kent was claiming that West Sussex county council was 'squandering our cash' on Children and Family Centres.
The actual situation is that the 37 centes already up and running, and the 14 more to be started up, are a Labour Party initiative fully funded by central government.
Both capital and revenue costs (i.e. including all salaries) are covered by grants from the Labour government to the council.
Perhaps Mr. Kent was misled by the fact that the Conservastive-led council has been claiming credit for this project and failing to mention where the idea and funding is coming from.
However, people do need to get their facts right when writing to your paper as, otherwise, local people are left in ignorance. It is also important for people to realise that managers of these centres often manage more than one centre, thus reducing the costs in terms of salaries.
This scheme being introduced across the country is another of Labour's efforts to bring about a fairer society. Although Mr. Kent points out that we live in what is considered an affluent area, everyone is aware that there are pockets of deprivation all over the county.
It has been acknowledged by the leader of West Sussex county council and the Conservative councillor who opened our local centres that the centres will provide a very positive service for the whole community.
This has been and will be money well spent in the opinion of those who care about the future of our children.
Christine Conibear
Horsham