A FAMILY centre could close in a bid to save up to £420,000 as frustrated councillors slammed "slash and burn policies" to tackle the council's financial black hole. 

A consultation is underway over proposals close the family centre at St Luke's Church, in St Luke's Road, as well as potentially slashing the hours at other family centres. 

Southend Council currently operates nine family centres across the borough which offer services including antenatal classes, child health clinics, breastfeeding support, and activities to promote child development. 

However, with the council facing a £10.7 million financial black hole, drastic cuts have been proposed including closing St Luke's and slashing the opening hours at other centres. 

Carole Mulroney, Liberal Democrat councillor for Leigh, says her party is against cutting the “fundamental” services.

She said: “We understand there has to be cuts, but when you’re hitting the most vulnerable sections of the community, there’s something not quite right. These ‘slash and burn’ policy reactions don’t look at the long-term effects.”

Matt Dent, Labour councillor for Kursaal, says the centre in his ward does “a tremendous amount of good” and fears savings will not be reinvested. 

He added: “It is a lifeline for the most vulnerable in our city. I worry deeply about closing or reducing the service of any centres."

Three options are being proposed as part of the consultation. Option one would see services focussed on three main sites and five community venues, closing St Luke’s and saving up to £420,000 per year.

Option two would see services focused on four main sites, plus two extended sites and two community venues, also closing St Luke's, saving the council up to £250,000. Option three would mean “no change”.

"Extended sites" are intended to operate as "mini" family centres, while "community venues" will run as "outreach sites". Both will have shorter opening hours than main sites. 

Brian Beggs, Conservative councillor for St Luke’s, highlighted that the St Luke's family centre is only open one day a week and claimed the closure would free up funds for the community hub in Cluny Square. 

Helen Boyd, Conservative councillor responsible for children and learning, said she could not comment while the consultation is running but urged people to take part. 

The centres currently open are Blenheim in School Way, Leigh; Cambridge Road in Leigh; Centre Place on Prospect Close, Southend; Friars Primary School in Constable Way, Shoebury; Prince Avenue, Hamstel Infant School on Hamstel Road, Southend; Rayleigh Road, Eastwood; Summercourt on Summercourt Road, Westcliff; and St Luke's.

Visit the Southend Council website to view the consultation.