'I'm sorry' - Senior Reform UK councillor apologises for closure of South Tyneside nurseries
"I know politicians never say sorry but I'm sorry we had to do it”
A senior Reform UK councillor has apologised to families and staff for her part in a controversial decision to axe ten daycare nurseries in South Tyneside.
Councillor Michelle Fascione, cabinet member for children and families, education and skills, is a member of the Reform UK cabinet, which voted this week to axe all of the borough’s Stanley's centres.
Cllr Fascione, who was elected in May 2026 when Reform UK took control of the council in historic 'all-out' local elections, said she had "tried everything" to make the service work, including "bringing private investors in to look at the model".
However, she said that the model itself was deemed "not viable" and added deferring a decision on the Stanley's service would "just prolong the agony".
Speaking after Wednesday's cabinet meeting, she said: "When I got introduced to the Stanley's and found out what was happening there, obviously that was passed over from the previous administration, I think in my naivety I thought we could do it and keep them and that's what we've been trying to do.
"I'm not a career politician and people know my background now, if we as a team could have made this work we would have made it work.
"The passion that was felt today, it affects you and I'm affected.
"I know politicians never say sorry but I'm sorry we had to do it. I'm really sorry but there was no other option."
The cabinet member stressed the closure decision was not a reflection on Stanley's dedicated staff or on the quality of care they provide and praised them "for everything they have given to families and communities", as well as recognising the "parents, carers and campaigners who have spoken so passionately about what these nurseries mean to them".
She added that the council also had to consider its "responsibilities and the long-term financial sustainability of a service which currently requires an annual subsidy of around £1.1m".
The cabinet member said Stanley's nurseries "account for only a small proportion of childcare provision across South Tyneside", with an assessment finding "sufficient good-quality places across the borough" with more than 100 Ofsted-registered childcare providers.
She said the Stanley's nurseries will remain open until July 31 2027 and that the council's focus is now on "supporting every child, family and member of staff through the transition".
Cllr Fascione also said there was a system in place in South Tyneside to prevent vulnerable children "falling through the gap" and stressed the council would "work closely with families throughout this process, while continuing to support affected staff.”
She added: "This is something that I think every political party given the chance would try to save.
"We've done our best and I'm so sorry this has happened but I'm an optimist and a great believer in onwards and upwards and let's get our children in the right place and we will help them to do that."
The cabinet report said the current Stanley's service, known as South Tyneside Accredited Network for Learning in the Early Years, is not financially sustainable and requires an annual council subsidy of around £1.1million.
South Tyneside Council previously said the closure proposals followed a service review, staff consultation and an assessment of available childcare across the borough, adding it would ensure enough good-quality childcare places for local families.
The council’s education and skills scrutiny committee recommended that cabinet delay the decision but the Reform UK cabinet pressed ahead with closure proposals, a move which sparked anger and upset from campaigners in attendance at the town hall.