Issue details

Kent County Council are consulting on proposals which will affect the way in which Community Services are delivered across districts in Kent.

The proposals affect Maidstone with the closure of two Children’s Centres and the change in location for Adult Education.

The existing provisions for Public Health Services for Children and Families (which includes Family Hubs), Community Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Gateways will not change for Maidstone as part of these proposals.

In order to make a response to the consultation, the Policy, Engagement and Governance team have evaluated the proposals and their impact on Maidstone residents.  An assessment has also been made of the consultation process and supporting data.

As a result, it has been determined that the impact on Maidstone has not been properly evaluated and a response should be made to ensure that Maidstone residents have the access they need to vital community support services.

The main areas that the consultation response seeks to respond to are:

·  The impact on vulnerable residents in Marden & Yalding and East Ward

·  The wider impact of the proposals on High Street and Shepway North wards (as a result of the closure of the two children’s centres). 

The consultation questionnaire is aimed at service users so there are limited questions the Council can respond to.  It is therefore proposed that the consultation be responded to via email letter which is also permitted.  The consultation response will be structured around the consultation questionnaire questions and the Council’s concerns are substantiated with data from the 2021 Census and health inequalities data.