By Aline Nassif

aline.nassif@essnmedia.co.uk

MILLIONS of pounds promised to children's services across the borough are being withheld, in the latest round of Croydon Council cuts.

It has emerged this week that £2.1 million is being slashed from its children, young people and learners (CYPL) department's budget.

While the council is staying tight-lipped on where all the savings will be made, it has confirmed £162,000 will come out of its Children's Fund.

The fund was going to distribute £567,000 over this financial year.

But ten voluntary organisations originally promised funding until at least March 2011 received a letter last week informing them the money would "cease" on October 31.

Tony Newman, leader of the council's Labour opposition, says he is "almost certain" the remainder of the cuts will come from the voluntary sector.

He said: "These cuts are a complete disgrace and they will harm Croydon's young population.

"It is all so short-sighted – the consequences for our youths will be devastating."

However, Dudley Mead, the council's cabinet member for finance, slammed the opposition for "scaremongering".

He admitted, though, that he was "concerned" about the children's department weathering such a huge cut.

"This matter hasn't been before the cabinet, and it was almost news to me when you telephoned," he said.

"I'm not terribly supportive of seeing kids' education grants cut and we need to look at this extremely carefully.

"These broad brushstroke cuts (from central government) are causing desperate casualties that are unacceptable."

The £2.1 million CYPL cuts form part of £5 million of savings the council is having to make following central government's decision to cut back its £34.5 million "area based grant" for this financial year.

If the full £2.1 million is taken from voluntary groups it would be a huge chunk of the £3.5 million a year they currently get from the children's department.

A council spokesman said: "The early warning (that funding will stop) will allow for a managed exit from current arrangements and the measure will save £162,000 from what had been budgeted as a £567,000 (Children's Fund) programme.

"We are offering support and promising to keep organisations informed of potential partnership opportunities expected to emerge as the council switches more of its direct operations to the voluntary sector."

* End of children’s scheme

PETER Allen, director of Together in Waddon which supports 250 local youngsters each year, has been informed his group's grant from the Children's Fund, worth £29,380 a year, will stop in three months.

He has also been told to expect to lose a further £10,000 a year, funded by the council's children's department, which is used to run an after-school club.

"The impact of this cut will be phenomenal," Mr Allen said.

"Over the last ten years, there has been a reduction in antisocial behaviour – and we have played a big part in that.

"These cuts send a terrible message to children – that the council doesn't care."

Even though Together in Waddon was fated to close in September – following the withdrawal of a separate £60,000 of funding from the council's corporate funding budget – Mr Allen had hoped to continue providing services.

The Children's Fund money helps him run weekly "team academy" sessions for eight to 14-year-olds, involving sports, trips and workshops.

One of the children set to lose out is Jack Curtis, 10, of Miller Road, Croydon, who attends team academy twice a week.

He said: "I'm so sad it's going to close as I'll have nothing to do.

"Team Academy is the highlight of my week."