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Published:
December 14, 2007
Work
begins on construction of new Burnham-On-Sea children's centre
Building
work has begun this week on a new Children’s Centre in Burnham-On-Sea
which will provide local support and advice for parents and carers
of children under five.
The
centre is due to open in Spring 2008 and will create a single
point of access to services for families who will be able to get
information on matters such as child development, parenting, and
advice on how to stay safe and healthy.
The
new centre will also offer support to parents who are considering
training and employment, as well as high-quality childcare and
pre-school education from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday for children
aged 2 – 4 years.
Somerset
County Council has contributed over £470,000 to create the
new centre and worked closely with a steering group of local representatives
to ensure that the facility will meet local needs and aspirations.
The Centre represents the latest step towards Somerset County
Council’s aim of establishing 33 new Children’s Centres
in Somerset by March 2008.
Margaret
Scott, chairperson of the Burnham-On-Sea steering group, said
in a statement this week: "The steering group has been working
with Somerset County Council on the proposal for over a year and
it is exciting to see the building work begin. We listened to
the local community to ensure the facility meets the requirements
of parents and carers with young children, and are looking forward
to the day when the Children’s Centre opens its doors."
Councillor
Pauline Clarke, Somerset County Council’s Portfolio Holder
for Children’s Services, added: "Somerset County Council
is pleased that building work is under way on this new Children’s
Centre. It will support parents and families and help Somerset
County Council ensure that children in Somerset are healthy and
safe in their early years."
Councillor
Mike Facey, Somerset County Council’s local member for Burnham,
said: "This Children’s Centre will be a valuable addition
to Burnham-on-Sea. The new facilities will be a key point of access
to services for our local parents and children. I am pleased that
we have reached this stage and am grateful for the hard work of
the local steering group and officers from Somerset County Council."
The
building was originally proposed for the centre of Burnham but
was moved to this site bordering Winchester Road as it provided
more space.
Our
photo shows members of the steering group with Mike Facey, Somerset
County Council’s Member for Burnham North, holding the shovel
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