One-stop kids plan for The Barn

A CLEVEDON youth club could be expanded to become a one-stop shop for children's services.North Somerset Council is investigating the possibility of pouring hundreds of thousands of pounds into developing The Barn to convert it into one of the 10 new children's centres across the district.Although The Barn, which is currently used as a youth club and community centre, has been put forward as the favoured site, no firm plans have yet been revealed.The centre would become a one-stop shop for children's services and would house early learning and childcare teams, child and family health services, parental outreach and family support services.It would also offer childminder support, education and training and be an information and advice point.A Government grant of nearly £1 million has been awarded to North Somerset Council to develop seven of the 10 centres across the district by March 2008.The Barn, which celebrates its 10th birthday this November, currently runs youth activities four nights during the week. It also is home to a number of community groups.Its work is mainly funded by Clevedon Town Council, with other money coming in via lettings and a smaller grant from North Somerset Council.Barn management committee secretary John Neal, said: "North Somerset Council officers have indicated that The Barn is the preferred option for a children's centre in this area."This has now got to be ratified by councillors. It is still in the very early stages, but we are cautiously optimistic about the scheme and it will provide a real boost to our facilities."Children's centres already exist in Weston-super-Mare and work on another scheme in the grounds of Crockerne Primary School at Pill is due to get underway in the New Year.Other areas identified for children's centres are Backwell, Nailsea, Portishead, Yatton, Wrington and Long Ashton.