Finding the ‘solution’

Published: 16 December, 2010

• THE local Labour manifesto for May 2010 said: “When Labour ran Camden Council we prioritised young people through spending on education and activities beyond the school gates, with an award-winning play service, the first in the country to receive a Charter Mark.”

Yet despite this, the Labour-run cabinet met on December 1 and agreed a report that would spell an end to all funding for universal play provision, instead targeting resources on children in need and children with disabilities. Angela Mason, the council’s deputy leader, said they are not proposing a 100 per cent cut.

As the proposals stand that is precisely what will happen.

The report states there is no legal requirement to provide play services, but under section 6 of the Children Act 2006 councils do have a statutory duty to ensure sufficient childcare. 

What will happen to the working parents of 2,000 children that attended play provision during the summer of 2010 if these cuts go ahead?

The report states that “the council will work with schools to aim to ensure there is sufficient offer of provision for working families”. As far as we are aware no discussion has yet taken place with schools and while some schools may be able to offer breakfast clubs and after-school clubs it is very unlikely that any would throw open the school gates for play schemes over 10 weeks of school holidays, especially as there is no new money for this.

What of the children who currently attend play provision, where will they be in the summer 2012 if these cuts go ahead? The prospect is for: children left home alone; the return of latch-key children; inappropriate care arrangements; older siblings left to look after younger ones etcetera.

Children will either stay indoors or be out and about without supervision in the streets and parks. Accidental injuries, whether in road accidents or the home, could soar. Anti-social behaviour and crime could rise. The long-term cost of these cuts would soon outweigh the saving. 

The 400-500 strong protest on December 1 shows how much parents and children value play centres – many were established 40 years ago and are focal points for their communities.

Councillors Mason and Theo Blackwell announced £1.5million for play, saying it was “better than the initial proposition” but it still represents a cut of more than 60 per cent.

Both the local authority and voluntary sector providers offer play with a good geographical spread across the borough. Play projects work in an inclusive way where children in need and children with disabilities play with their friends and neighbours – children thrive better with positive peer role models.

While the government is ultimately responsible for these cuts, we are aware that Labour lost control of the council in 2006 because they stopped listening to local people. Labour says that it is committed to defending front-line services – now they have the opportunity to show people this is the case.

Cllr Blackwell indicated at the cabinet that he understood the “real impact on working parents” and wants to “find a solution”. He said he would “like to meet” the deputation and we would like to take him up on this invitation as a matter of urgency.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Plot 10 Community Play Project NW1