I READ with despair the report this week that the council is considering cuts to the two children centres they run.

I READ with despair the report this week that the council is considering cuts to the two children centres they run.

I, and I'm sure many other voters in Weston, would like to ask have they really considered what they are doing?

In this hard economic climate we all know cutbacks are needed but why is the council not fighting tooth and nail to protect the very young vulnerable children and families fighting to keep their heads above water? Why is it even considering making those changes?

Mothers cannot work without childcare, if they lose jobs because the council cuts opening times they then have to go on benefits. So instead of helping them to stand on their own two feet the council kicks their legs from under them.

At a time when there is so much unemployment does it make sense to add to it?

I see Jenson Button took a very large pay cut to help others in his team keep their jobs. Could the large pay increase the councillors gave themselves when they took office not now be offered back to keep the hours the same and also keep faith with the people who pay their wages?

The centres provide help and support to mothers with babies, many of whom are referred there by agencies working with families who are struggling to cope. That help is invaluable, even possibly lifesaving.

Do we really want another baby P or even a child harmed, all for the sake of looking harder at other ways of saving money? It is only a few years since the Queen opened the Ashcombe Children Centre and how honoured the councillors were to have had the privilege of sharing that. I doubt she would be too impressed with them now.

DIANA WHITTLE

Milburn Road

Weston