MORE than half of planned children’s centres and pre-school improvement projects in Oxfordshire have been scrapped, it emerged last night.

Fourteen schemes, out of a total list of 26, will not go ahead after the Government slashed the £14m funding pot by £2.75m.

Oxfordshire County Council revealed the funding blow earlier this week and last night announced the list of projects that can now go ahead, and those that have been halted.

County Hall made the final decision within days of the Government’s cuts announcement as the remaining cash must be spent by March 2011 – or Whitehall will claw that back as well.

The funding was cut as part of the Department of Education's efforts to slash £1bn from its budget in this financial year.

Louise Chapman, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “I share the disappointment of those who can’t now go ahead with their projects.

“I really do sympathise, but this is the financial situation the whole country faces and there are difficult decisions to be made.”

“Among the criteria considered for those projects which are going ahead was those capable of completion by March 2011 and in the case of pre-schools, looking at where there was a real need for places in particular areas.

“I realise that is little comfort to those who have been disappointed but there simply isn’t the money to pay for everything now.”

The children’s centres provide a range of services to under-fives and their families.

They were launched by the last Labour Government as part of its 10-year childcare strategy to give parents access to affordable child care.

WINNERS & LOSERS

PROJECTS which will go ahead: Children’s Centres: Ambrosden NW Witney Southmoor Thame Sonning Common Heyford & Caversfield Pre-schools: Rainbow Pre-school (Glory Farm) – replacement building Southmoor Pre-school – new building linked to provision of children's centre Magpies (North Kidlington Primary) – new building Grovelands Park (Millbrook School) – replacement building Berinsfield Pre-school – replacement building Sonning Common Pre-school – replacement building

Projects which will not go ahead: Children’s Centres: Witney Central Great Milton Wallingford Pre-schools: Cumnor Pre-school – replacement building The Old Station Nursery Ltd, Benson – small grant Lydalls Nursery – enhanced facililities at nursery Grimsbury Family Association Playgroup – small grant Long Wittenham Pre-school – small grant Turbo Teds Nursery, Oxford – small grant Benson Pre-school – improvements to community hall (part used by pre-school) The Attic Nursery, Thame – small grant Deddington Village Nursery – small grant Stepping Stones, Witney – grant Great Haseley Nursery School & Day Nursery – small grant