Improved services for children and families look set to be brought under one roof as part of plans to bring two services together and close out-dated buildings in Bath.
Image courtesy of B&NES Council
Bath & North East Somerset Council wants to provide support for families with children aged up to 19 at its existing building at 12 Charlotte Street.
Currently support for families is split between Bright Start Children’s Centre Services at Parkside Children Centre, also in Charlotte Street, while the Social Care Family Intervention team is based at Newbridge Hill.
Councillor Paul May, (Conservative, Publow and Whitchurch) Cabinet Member for Children and Young People is being recommended to approve the plan and create the centre – the first of its kind in Bath & North East Somerset.
He said: “I have listened carefully to the views of those who use these children and family services. The Council Leader and I have visited the Parkside Children’s Centre to talk with parents and families, and it is clear that their preference is to remain in a city centre location with good access to transport and parking.”
A consultation and meeting with councillors showed people using the service said they preferred a city centre location, which Charlotte Street, provides.
A report by officers says Newbridge Hill has a layout which makes it very difficult to deliver modern family services while Parkside, which was built in 1944 as a temporary pre-cast concrete construction does not allow for any structural changes allowing co-location or expansion.
Councillor Charles Gerrish, (Conservative Keynsham North) cabinet member for Finance & Efficiency, added: “If this goes ahead a range of services will come under one roof. As well as providing improved services to residents, it would allow us to make efficiency savings by not heating and maintaining two old buildings.”
If approved today, Monday 18th December, work to move both teams under one roof is planned for early next year.
