内容摘要：LGA chairwoman Louise Gittins warned the risk of financial failure across local government was “becoming systemic”.

LGA chairwoman Louise Gittins warned the risk of financial failure across local government was “becoming systemic”.

Peterborough City Council has received a total of £1.3m from central government to continue running the hubs until April 2026.Anna, from Peterborough, who has been visiting the hub in Welland for more than a year, said: " [Without the hub] I wouldn't be able to pay for the groups we come to. By coming here my daughter is growing every day."

She added: "It's about being able to go somewhere and talk to someone, to get out of the house."I did have anxiety and it has helped me to be better. To be brave."Staff at the family hubs in Peterborough delivered about 25,000 face-to-face sessions last year, an increase of 17.5 per cent on the previous year.

Mark Bowering, from Peterborough, has five children of different ages and attends the parenting classes at one the city's family hubs.He said it was important that the service remains free.

"Nowadays if people say something is going to cost you £10 or £20 people might say, 'I've got to buy food' or whatever, and it probably wouldn't happen.

"Without these courses, I don't think [my] children would grow so well."The plans submitted to Spelthorne Borough Council would involve repurposing a former Barclays bank site in Church Road, Ashford.

The centre would be open every day except for Christmas Day.Noise issues, potential anti-social behaviour and encouraging gambling addiction were raised as concerns.

So far, there have been six letters in support of the centre.One objection letter read: “We do not want this kind of business in Ashford."