PLANS to cut the number of Children’s centres in Wirral in order to save the authority £1.5m have been approved by cabinet.

During a meeting on Monday, councillors considered a report which recommended children's centres be reduced from 16 to just three main "hubs", plus six “satellite” centres.

They will be situated Brassey Gardens Childrens’ Centre Birkenhead, Seacombe Children’s Centre in Wallasey and Pensby Children’s Centre.

The move will affect 97 full time equivalent employees across the service, not including cleaning and care taking staff.

But plans for a fourth hub in Eastham were dropped, prompting an angry response from Eastham Liberal Democratic councillor and group leader Dave Mitchell, who said he may table an amendment on the decision at the next meeting of full council.

He told the Globe today: "It seems to be the case that, where we live in Wirral we are on the periphary and everything seems to gravitate towards Birkenhead and Wallasey. I don't know why.

“As an authority I know we have to make savings, but why should we be the area that is always hit?

"Given the state of the council, the overall majority is Labour, so they can do whatever they want.

"I know we need to make savings, but there has to be a better way of doing this without damaging the infrastructure.

"I'll discuss it with my colleagues when we have our next meeting and may table an amendment at the next meeting of council.

"Commonsense must prevail."

There will also be "satellites" will be in Birkenhead and Tranmere in Cathcart Street and Rock Ferry Children’s Centres, New Brighton Children’s Centre in Wallasey and at West Kirby, Bromborough and New Ferry Children’s Centres to ensure “there is a named children’s centre for each child under five”, along with the use of nursery schools at Leasowe and Ganneys Meadow.

In September last year Wirral Early Years and Children Centre Review made recommendations to cabinet about developing a new model of service delivery, supported by an outcomes framework to ensure children had the best start in life.

The review was prompted by the authority’s need to save £1.5 million from its Early Years and Children’s Centre budget, reducing the budget to £3.080 million.

It said the service required a radical shift in thinking to meet current policy and legislative requirements.

Cllr Tony Smith, cabinet member for children and family services, said: "The new service includes a dedicated outreach team working in each constituency in a range of different venues including homes, schools, children’s centres, and other community venues.

"We held an extensive consultation before reaching a decision, with 934 people replying, and more than 300 attending consultation events.

"Most agreed that these services need to be better targeted at those who most require support.

"We will now set to work with our health partners and other local agencies to provide joined up, accessible community services and to deliver on our pledge to help children reach their full potential by 2020."