Halton Council has apologised to parents over its handling of the proposed closure of two day care centres, with one councillor branding it ‘disgraceful and appalling’.

The World reported recently how council chiefs were poised to back a major restructure which would see the closure of Warrington Road and Ditton Day Care Centres in Widnes.

The plans were published online on January 10 in an agenda for the council’s ruling executive board which met last Thursday, but parents of children who attend the centres were not told directly.

Cllr Andrea Wall, who represents Highfield ward, said she had been contacted by parents of children impacted by the plans.

Posting on Facebook, she wrote: “I have been speaking privately to a number of Highfield ward residents who are impacted by the proposed closure of Ditton Day Care.

“I have to say that I agree with them entirely on the council’s communications on this matter. I have described the handling of this as disgraceful and appalling.

“My understanding is that this is being apologised for by the senior leadership team of the council.”

The centres opened in 2004 as part of government policy to provide childcare for youngsters under five. They operate on the site of nurseries which are not affected by this proposal. If given final approval, the centres would close on August 31.

In a letter to parents dated January 20, Milorad Vasic, Halton Council’s Executive Director of Children’s Services, said: “I would also like to apologise that you had to find out via the media rather than correspondence from the Council.” Adding: “I understand that the prospect of the closure will be worrying for you and your child.”

He said that to 'minimise any potential disruption' from September, the nursery schools located on the Ditton and Warrington Road sites would be able to accommodate all two, three and four-year-olds currently using the Warrington Road and Ditton day care provision, including the same opening and closing times

He added: “Unfortunately, Ditton and Warrington Road Day Care Centres, which for a number of years, has been running at a considerable financial loss, which is currently £400,000 a year.  Given the current budget pressures, we simply cannot afford to continue to maintain the provision. We are doing everything we can to ensure that you have access to quality childcare.”

The planned closures are part of a drastic restructuring programme approved by the executive board at Thursday’s meeting, but which will still have to be approved by Full Council on February 1.

The restructure also includes the council no longer delivering school catering services, with schools being helped to make alternative arrangements over the next two years, which could involve providing meals themselves or bringing in external suppliers.

The plans also include hiring traffic wardens to enforce penalty notices in an effort to raise income, as well as other measures aimed at helping address a £25m funding gap.