COUNCIL bosses insist they will be able to reach out to more people despite plans to cut the number of children’s centres across the county.

Under the proposals, 37 Sure Start children’s centres in Essex will become just 12 full-time family centres by March 2017.

Essex County Council is proposing one full-time site in each borough, opening for 50 hours per week, which aims to offer a range of services for youngsters from ages zero to 19 under one roof.

The other 25 Sure Start centres, including Beeches, based in Beeches Close, the Central Children’s Centre, in Chelmsford Library, and Chelmsford West Children’s Centre, in Dixon Avenue, could become part- time “delivery sites” instead.

During a public consultation over the proposals, one Chelmsford grandparent said: “This question is very poorly drafted.

“Poor families need these centres within easy reach.”

But Dick Madden, Tory councillor responsible for adults and children, insists the authority will be able to support more families under the new system.

He said: “This has been going on for two years, and we have been listening to what people want and are creating a system that engages all services. It’s like a building without walls.

“Children’s centres are just one part of what families need.

Having hubs means several centres are put together.

“What the plans mean is that we can work to bring more of the delivery sites across the county. It means we can go out to the village halls, the commu - nity centres and even do some home visits for people who can’t easily access services at the main hubs.

“The aim is to be a more flexible service.”

Mr Madden said the authority was able to improve services after cutbacks two years ago, which saw the number of children’s centres cut from 87.

He said: “It’s about helping vulnerable people, and we are working with more families.

Before we cut the number of centres, we worked with 34,000 families. Now we help 42,500.”