Sure Start centres shake-up

Council Cabinet meeting
SURE Start children’s centres across Oldham will be managed at district level following new management plans approved yesterday.

Oldham’s 16 centres are currently managed by a range of providers such as school governing bodies and voluntary sector organisations, but the 16 contracts end on March 31, 2012.

Under new plans, six district centres will be used as bases to cluster them together so resources and governance can be co-ordinated at this level.

Future tendering for the management of the centres will also be carried out at local level, bringing the number of current providers down from 11 to six.

The aim is to improve co-ordination and deliver savings in the region of £220,000 in 2012-13.

Councillor Hugh McDonald, Cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “The aim of becoming a co-operative council is to focus resources as much as possible at district level.

“Being able to tender for six contracts to deliver these services is far better value for money and will really help to make savings and target resources exactly where they are needed.”

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “This is making a saving without impacting on the front line.”