Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
17
Jul
Call to reopen Pateley Bridge children’s centre with new government funding
A councillor has called on North Yorkshire Council to apply for government funding to reopen a children’s centre in Pateley Bridge.
Cllr Andrew Murday, a Liberal Democrat who represents Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale division, said a former Sure Start centre in the town remained “fully equipped” to help children despite being closed.
Nidderdale Children’s Centre opened in September 2010 backed by £590,715 of taxpayers’ money, but did not reopen following the covid pandemic.
In 2024, the Conservative-run council voted to de-register and close the site along with four other Sure Start centres in the county. At the time, the council estimated the move to close the Pateley Bridge site would save £13,400 a year.
However, Cllr Murday said the government had since launched a plan aimed at helping to give children the best start in life.
Cllr Andrew Murday.
The government’s Best Start in Life strategy includes a £1.5 billion fund over the next five years, which includes an aim to restore “crucial family services”.
At a full council meeting in Northallerton yesterday (July 16), Cllr Murday said:
The previous Sure Start centre in Pateley Bridge remains fully equipped but completely unused.
I would ask the council to consider asking the government to provide the funds from their new plan to reopen the Sure Start centres in Pateley Bridge and elsewhere.
Cllr Janet Sanderson, Conservative executive councillor for children and families at the council, said the premises of the children’s centre, which was attached to St Cuthbert’s school, was transferred to the Upper Nidderdale Primary Federation Academy following its de-registration.
She added that the decision was made to help the “development of early years provision” within the school.
Cllr Sanderson said:
The previous Sure Start capital investment was given to support children in the early years. I can confirm that there has been no claw back of the initial capital investment.
We welcome the announcement of the Best Start in Life strategy. Any additional funding North Yorkshire receives will be prioritised in assisting those children and the families identified within that strategy.
After consideration of the report presented to Parliament by the secretary of state for education, it is clear that the focus is directed to children and families in the most deprived areas and we will be required to direct funding to those particular areas within North Yorkshire.
Until we see further details of the programme, specific funding allocated to North Yorkshire and requirements for where and how it must be spent, I think asking the government to provide funds to reopen any Sure Start centre at this stage would be premature.
0