Over half children's centres in West London borough earmarked to close

Ealing Council has announced plans to close children's centres, increase council tax, hike the social care levy, and raise the premium on empty and second homes. These measures are aimed at making £42.3 million savings by 2029.

The council voted overwhelmingly in favour of the budget at a full council meeting on Tuesday, March 4. The local authority has also confirmed plans to invest in temporary accommodation as demand for housing increases.

Budget documents indicate a cumulative deficit of £57.7 million by 2029, something the council suggests highlights the need for cuts. The department facing the largest cuts is children's services.

The council aims to save £27.8 million, with £11.8 million of this expected over the next 12 months. In this time, 12 of the borough's 25 children's centres are expected to close. The council plans to outsource the services provided by the centres to private companies.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jonathan Oxley questioned the council on why the savings from the centre closures are included in budget savings, despite the proposals being out for consultation. He said: "These precious public assets provide critical services to mums, dads and kids, including childcare, health visits and nursing, midwifery and mental health services… In plain words, Labour are privatising public services… the consultation is nothing more than a dressed up cost cutting exercise."

Angela Fonso is a locally recognised community champion in Southall, where four centres could close. She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that these cuts will hit the poorest the most.

She said: "I used to go to the children's centres with my children. There are parents and children with developmental needs who will lose out on the support they're currently receiving. I'm so resistant because it's going to hit the poorest areas the hardest. There is an awful lot of deprivation in these areas, and they are taking an axe to early years intervention."

Increased taxes and investment plans

Ealing Council will also increase council tax by 2.99 per cent. However, the council is increasing the social care levy by 2 per cent alongside the council tax increase which means residents will see a rise in taxes of 4.99 per cent across the board. The social care levy is charged by the council to support adult care services across the borough.

For residents living in a band D property, council tax will increase by £44.16, and the social care levy will increase by £29.54 - a total increase of £73.70 per year.

The council is also increasing the premium council tax charge on empty and second homes. If a home has been empty for less than one year, there is currently no premium charge. Under the new plans the owner will have to pay double the standard rate of council tax.

For homes empty for 1-2 years, owners will pay 200 per cent more council tax, for 2-5 years it's 200 per cent, for 5-10 years it's 300 per cent, and over 10 years a 400 per cent premium will be charged. Second homes will also have to pay double the council tax they currently pay.

The council confirmed plans to invest £150 million in buying up properties to use as temporary accommodation, hoping to relieve pressure on the housing waiting lists. Some £6.25 million will also be spent on improving roads and pavements, including 8km of roads to be resurfaced in Spring 2025, and 7.5km of repaving.

Councillor Steve Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, said: "We know times are financially tough for many people. The cost-of-living crisis has driven an ever-higher number of residents to ask the council for support. Help is available through the council to the people who are struggling most to pay their bills, including council tax.

"Information about council tax, and reductions, are available on the council's website, go to a search engine online and type 'Ealing Council tax reduction'."

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