City of London stalls on future of 'much-loved' early years' day care

75 per cent of respondents to a consultation on the future of Aldgate School Children’s Centre want the service to remain in place, but the City of London have not confirmed their plans.

The City of London Corporation has come under fire after failing to confirm the outcome of a consultation on the future of Aldgate School Children’s Centre.

75 per cent of respondents indicated that their preferred option would be for the service to remain in place.

However, the Corporation has yet to confirm whether it will stay open.

The Corporation had previously tried to force a closure of the centre without proper consultation.

It was only after GMB Union raised concerns to the members the Communities and Children’s Service Committee that the Corporation delayed the closure and agreed to consult users and residents.

GMB also ran a petition that gained over 2,000 signatures.

Anna Lee, GMB Regional Organiser, said:

“Parents and users have given the City of London a clear message: they want the much-loved early years’ service to remain at the Aldgate School.

“The Corporation should honour the outcome of the consultation.

“The centre costs £165,000 to run and provides an invaluable service to parents and children.

“This is just a fraction of the millions of pounds wasted on the scrapped plan to relocate the markets.”