Campaigners opposed to the proposed loss of children’s services have been offered a glimmer of hope after the county council agreed to a delay the final decision.

The authority will wait to see if a central government funding pot may provide cash to continue family and children’s support services at the under-threat Millmead centre in Margate and Seashells in Sheerness.

A motion before the children, young people and education (CYPE) cabinet committee at Kent County Council (KCC) on November 21 was passed to pause the decision to withdraw £426,000 financial support.

KCC needs to find tens of millions of pounds in savings to balance the books in the coming years or face the prospect of bankruptcy.

The council is proposing to withdraw the commissioned funding to contractors at both sites but provide the same Family Hub services elsewhere.

Cabinet member Cllr Sue Chandler will await to see how much of a £69m funding package outlined by the education secretary Bridget Phillipson Kent will receive and is to explore any legal implications arising from a short-term contract extension.

It is not yet known when Mrs Phillipson will release the money - to be shared out among around 40 local authorities - or if there will be conditions to its deployment.

Supporters of Seashells said it was a “small win” while Margate councillor Barry Lewis, who proposed the motion, claimed the result as a “victory”.

During a passionate debate, in front of a packed public gallery, local councillor Mike Whiting told the committee: “The £69m elephant in the room is the Family Hub Continuity Funding announced in the budget last month. Assuming the standard formula, KCC should expect a windfall of £2.75m. We know KCC can buy time with a contract extension, surely it is wise to delay until we have clarity.”

After the meeting he added: “What we’ve done is raise the bar on the things Sue (Chandler) is to consider before she makes her decision.”

Seashells chief executive officer Jim Duncan said: “It’s a better result than we might have expected. But we also know that it doesn’t change the situation as things stand but it gives us a bit of time and, perhaps, a better chance of being successful.”

Cllr Lewis claimed official figures showed that Millmead welcomes three times more people than the three proposed KCC alternative centres put together.

He said two of the sites which are owned by the authority were worth around £750,000 each which could be sold to raise funds.

Funding is due to cease at the end of March 2025.

At the time of the proposed funding withdrawal, a KCC statement said: “The financial challenge facing the council is well documented. KCC needs to deliver £108.8m…savings over the next two years by making changes to services that save money for the council whilst continuing to provide support for residents that need it.

“By not renewing these contracts KCC would save £426,000 and ensure a consistent approach to Family Hubs across all areas of Kent.”