'An important step' - Campaigners welcome South Tyneside Council's extension of the Stanley's consultation
Campaigners
The Save Our Stanley’s campaign has welcomed South Tyneside Council’s the decision to extend the proposed cuts consultation but called for families’ views to be considered.
The local authority placed staff at the South Tyneside Accredited Network for Learning in the Early Years (Stanley’s) into a consultation in June after they proposed to shut down the childcare provision by July 31, 2027.
It is understood that the staff consultation was due to end on Sunday, July 26, but South Tyneside Council has now made the decision to extend it until Friday, August 21.
The council has stated that the extension follows “feedback and further questions” that they’ve received during the consultation process.
Calls for families’ views to be considered
Joanna Taylor, from Hebburn, launched the petition calling for the proposed cuts to be reconsidered and has since spearheaded the Save Our Stanley’s Campaign.
The mum-of-one has welcomed the extension of the staff consultation period but has urged the local authority to consider the views of the families who would be impacted if Stanley’s was to close.
She said: “From the campaign’s point of view, this decision means we have been given more time and it is an important step.
“It shows that questions that have been raised by all involved cannot simply be ignored or dismissed.
“It is only right that these are properly considered before Cabinet make their decision.
“However, this does not change the fact that families have still not been formally consulted.
“Stanley’s are a vital part of our community and we all should have the right to discuss this and have our voices heard by decision makers as to why we need this provision.
“We hope this additional time will allow decision-makers to fully examine the evidence and genuinely consider alternative options.
“This decision could be one of the most significant decisions affecting early years provision in South Tyneside and it needs to be taken with care.
“The Save Our Stanley’s campaign will continue to work hard ensuring we use this extra time to have our voices heard.
“We thank everyone who continues to stand with us - together we keep fighting for the children of South Tyneside and their right for the best start in life.”
‘No final decisions’ from South Tyneside Council
Trade union officials have also welcomed the decision to extend the consultation period, branding it as “a step in the right direction”.
UNISON hopes that the local authority will use the additional time to consider the alternative proposals that have been put forward to them.
South Tyneside Council has stated that “no final decisions have been made” in relation to the consultation - with the Cabinet set to consider “all submissions” during a meeting in the autumn.
The Save Our Stanley’s campaign is set to host a community meeting at 11am on Saturday, July 25, at the Harton Welfare Club, on Low Lane, to outline the next steps of its campaign.
Since it was launched in June, the campaign has submitted a petition with more than 11,600 signatures to South Tyneside Council and has held various protests in South Shields.