Conservative-run Swindon Council are currently consulting on the closure of the Children’s Nursery on Euclid Street by September 2016 -, advising parents they will have to use another nursery.
Conservative-run Swindon Council are currently consulting on the closure of the Children’s Nursery on Euclid Street by September 2016 -, advising parents they will have to use another nursery.
Labour are concerned about this nursery closure as it is a very popular with 128 young children aged between 2 and 4 currently using the facility. Parents of children at the nursery have also said that they value this nursery as it is very well located for parents in the local area.
This nursery also makes Swindon Borough Council £74K a year of income which makes their proposed closure all the more surprising. The Council have said that the reason they are making this change is because of the expensive maintenance costs of the nursery. However the £74K annual income from the nursery could make up for this maintenance cost over a short space of time.
As part of the Council’s plans, they are also considering leasing or selling the site in the future.
Eastcott Labour Candidate Manetta Rodrigues says: “Closing the Children’s Nursery seems completely unnecessary and counter-productive. The nursery provides an income to the Council of £74K. It is one the best subscribed nurseries in Swindon, is deemed as ‘good’ by Ofsted and is valued by parents as in a convenient location within their local community.
I understand that there is a substantial maintenance backlog, however these maintenance costs could be made back in just a few years from the £74,000 income this nursery makes for the Council.
We also would be against any selling of the freehold for that site as then the Council would have no control of the future of that space and it could be in danger of being used against the community’s wishes.”
These proposals are only out to consultation and there is still a chance the nursery could be saved. Parents of the nursery have 6 weeks to tell the council how much they value the nursery.
You can also get in touch with Manetta and Paul with your thoughts on the Council’s plans.
Email eastcott@www.southswindonlabour.co.uk
Manetta Rodrigues 07525 759 091
Councillor Paul Dixon 07454 736 769