Don’t close our centre – that was the message from staff and users when Cllr Jenny Whittle visited Woodgrove Children’s Centre.

The cabinet member for specialist children’s services was invited to the facility last Friday to hear first hand the impact it would have on people if cost-cutting plans by Kent County Council (KCC) get the go-ahead.

She was accompanied on her tour by MP Gordon Henderson and county councillor Roger Truelove (Lab).

The centre, which the local authority claims to be used by 607 under-fives and their families, is one of 23 across the county which faces possible closure.

It opened five years ago to “give children the best possible start in life” through improvement of care, early education, health and family support.

KCC wants to set out a new model for its children’s centres.

It is targeting those centres with the lowest attendance figures, and claims the identified sites are no longer needed.

The authority hopes the reduction in building and management costs will save £1.5m over the next financial year – on top of the £1.4m it has to save by the end of this year. Cllr Whittle said: “The county council is in a very difficult position. We are trying to keep as many children’s centres open as possible against a 40% reduction in the early intervention grant that funds the centres.”

Mr Henderson said: “I very much hope she listened to the impassioned pleas.

“The closure of Woodgrove is based on erroneous facts because they’re saying early intervention is not necessary but she accepted when driving around the area that is clearly not the case.

“The number of people using the centre has increased from 600 to 900.

“It has started to reach those hard-to-reach parents and their children by going out and doing home work.

“The suggestion that’s been put forward is that it should be used as a hub that spreads its tentacles out into the community. They’ve really got to consider that.”

• A public consultation runs until October 4. To have your say, visit www.kent.uk/childrenscentres

Following her visit, Cllr Truelove, right, wrote a letter to Cllr Whittle reminding her that closing Woodgrove is not the best option.

In it, he said: “I frankly believe there must be better ways of saving £1.5 million.

“It is the only centre on the south side of Sittingbourne, but, as you heard on your visit, its central position makes it the best option in access terms for a large number of parents.

“I believe there has been a major increase in the number of users and the centre has also reached out more successfully to families who are most in need of the support provided here.

“I appreciate you have a difficult decision to make and, like many parents, I was grateful for your re-assurance there is room for flexibility.

“I would say that an alternative option cannot be to close Milton Court, which does serve an area of great deprivation too.”