A CASH strapped Merseyside council has launched proposals to slim-down and merge its children’s centres.

Sefton council confirmed it has begun a three-month consultation process over its 15 centres, based across the borough, as it looks to make £900,000 in savings blamed on government cuts.

The review follows widespread protests and a petition of 3,775 signatures in January, which led to a reprieve for centres in Bootle, Netherton, Waterloo, Thornton, Maghull, Formby, and Southport. New revised proposals pledge that “all bases will remain open”, with the council instead looking to merge the management structures and review the opening hours of the centres.

Under the plans, a single management team would be in charge of up to three centres, and families could also have to start paying for services.

A Sefton council consultation report stresses “careful planning of services and a review of opening hours will ensure key services are retained and duplication is reduced”.

But parents angry at the plans include Gemma Brannan, whose son Dylan, two, attends Bishop David Sheppard, which under the plans would merge with fellow Southport children’s centre Linaker.

She said: “They are not physically closing the centres, but that’s what it amounts to, as they will not be able to offer the same amount of staff or service.”