9th September 2025
Oxfordshire’s Liberal Democrat administration is investing in family centres across the county and has plans for further support.
They have supported community run family centres by reducing their rents and will be proposing to invest in a network of family and community hubs in the forthcoming Council Strategic Plan.
In 2016 the then Conservative run county council, in adevastating blow to local communities, decided to close 36 of the 44 Family Centres.
Liberal Democrat councillors opposed this decision and won a £1m Transition Fund which helped community organisations and charities set up voluntary run centres, with 40 grants then being given out.
Since taking control of the council, the Liberal Democrats have supported many of these community run centres with reduced rents and many Liberal Democrat councillors have given funding from their Councillor Priority Funds.
Cllr Sean Gaul, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:
“One of our priority proposals in the new Strategic Plan will be to roll out a network of family and community hubs across the county during 2026 and 2027 in areas of need. These will provide families with access to early help and support, including services from health, education and community sector partners.
Thame Cllr Kate Gregory said:
“The Red Kite Family Centre in Thame was set up as a local charity after the Conservatives tried to close it in 2017. It provides an important and valuable service to local residents and I’ve been proud to support it from my Councillor Priority Fund.”
Abingdon South Cllr Neil Fawcett said:
“When the Conservatives tried to close the Abingdon Family Centre the whole community and Town Council got together to save it. I was delighted to help get the new Abingdon Carousel charity established and have been very happy to support it with a series of grants from my Councillor Priority Fund since.”
