A BID to stop funding being axed for more than half of Oxfordshire’s children’s centres has been quashed in the Court of Appeal.

Two parents fighting council plans – who cannot be named for legal reasons – were appealing against a decision in August, when the High Court threw out an application for judicial review.

Their lawyers argued Oxfordshire County Council had not properly assessed the impact of plans to pull funding from 31 of 44 children’s centres and two of seven early intervention hubs next April.

But their case was dismissed this afternoon.

Save Oxfordshire’s Children’s Centres campaigners said the decision meant thousands of families would be left ‘out in the cold’.

Oxford Mail:

Charlie Payne (pictured), spokeswoman for Save Oxfordshire's Children's Centres, said: We are disappointed to hear this judgement because of the importance of children's centres to Oxfordshire's children.

"Unfortunately this verdict really could mean that the 19,000 under 5s who use our children's centres and the 11,000 under 19 year olds who use our Early Intervention Hubs are going to be left out in the cold.

"However we are pleased that the court accepted that when making decisions of this kind councillors must have an open mind. 

"The court also made clear that when the decision is about closing childrens centres an assessment of need for those services must be done first."

Banbury mum-of-two Jill Huish (pictured below) said: “Those making critical decisions seem to have no understanding of the massive impact children’s centres have on the lives of extremely vulnerable children and families.”

Oxford Mail:


The county council welcomed the verdict, dismissing the case as ‘without merit’.

A spokesman added: “It is regrettable further legal proceedings were necessary to bring this matter to a close. We are pleased with today’s decision, which provides much needed clarity and reassurance for both our staff and families.”

It said its plans for a shake-up of services were well advanced and would ‘meet the needs and aspirations of children at risk of abuse and neglect’.

Last month it revealed the first round of successful bidders for children’s centre ‘transition’ funding.

Six groups will receive a total of £163,000 over the next three years.