Children will be 'worse off' in move to turn Rhodesia children's centre into nursery, councillor warns

(On Wednesday, March 17) Nottinghamshire County Council approved the lease of a building on the grounds of Haggonsfield Primary to the school’s academy for the next 125 years.

There are plans to utilise the ‘empty’ building as a nursery, creating ‘much needed’ places for children living nearby.

Councillor Philip Owen, chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee, said this allowed for a ‘better use for the underused building’ which would soon be ‘full of children playing and learning, rather than sitting empty and silent’.

But Sybil Fielding, councillor for Worksop West ward, was left ‘deeply disappointed’ by the move which she said wasn’t ‘quite the good news it appeared’ as the building was already being used as a children’s centre which will now no longer be accessible to the public.

Plans for school to provide 'much needed' nursery places in Worksop

Coun Fielding said she had ‘repeatedly’ called for the decision to be reversed and felt her views on the matter were constantly ignored.

She said: “The consultation process has failed to tackle any of the issues that I have called on the council to address on several occasions in public meetings, and it has also failed to ascertain local views.

"There’s no doubt in my mind that the children, young people and families in Rhodesia will be worse off now because they cannot access any of the early intervention services that had been steadily withdrawn from this centre over the last four years under the Conservatives.

“And while I welcome the fact that Haggonfields Primary School are keen to expand provision at the school to meet the needs of local children, I remain concerned about how we will meet the needs of young mothers to be, and very young children, who won’t qualify for the proposed provision on offer under the new arrangements.

“It’s a very sad day for me as the local Labour Member, however I remain resolute in speaking up on behalf of my residents, and I will continue to advocate for children and young families in Rhodesia.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Sam Jackson, editor.