A COUNCIL chairman has re-iterated the importance of retaining as many services as possible at a Haworth children’s centre.

Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council Chairman Councillor John Huxley was responding to an update on Treetops, in Rawdon Road.

Speaking at Tuesday’s full monthly parish council meeting, Worth Valley Ward Councillor Rebecca Poulsen said the centre was still currently being run by Bradford Council.

She added: “What is happening more and more is that the stay-and-play open access facility for parents will be run by volunteers.

“Last week two new parent-led toddler groups were started in Treetops. We hope these are well supported because we really need this provision in Haworth.”

Cllr Huxley said the work being done to maintain facilities at Treetops was complicated by child safeguarding requirements.

“It’s so important for our area that many of these services can continue to be offered within Haworth,” he added.

As reported in last week’s Keighley News an information session is being staged to examine “alternative estate management arrangements” for six sites, including Treetops and the Daisy Chain centre in Silsden.

Voluntary and community sector groups have been invited to the April 23 session, at Keighley Town Hall.

Worth Valley councillor Glen Miller said he feared Bradford Council might have a “back-door policy” to close some of its children centres.

But Councillor Ralph Berry, the council’s executive member for children’s services, countered that there was no hidden agenda to reduce provision.