THE consultation over the future of Somerset's Children's Centres is set to start on Monday. 

There are currently 24 Sure Start centres across the county, but under new plans, this number could be reduced to eight as the council plans to deliver services differently. 

In Taunton Deane, there are currently six centres: Acorns, The Hollies, Hillside, Brock House, Wellington, and Bishops Lydeard, and two "delivery points" The Villages and Fledglings. 

The new plan would see Acorns and Hillside become the two main "family centres" and the others de-designated.

In Sedgemoor, there are four centres: Victoria Park, Hamp, Sydenham, and Highbridge, with Netherstowey, Eastover, Woolavington, The Valley and Octopus used as delivery points. Sydenham and Highbridge would be used as the main centres in the new plans, with the others de-designated. 

In West Somerset there are three centres, Williton, Alcombe, and Little Vikings, with Wiveliscombe and Dulverton used as delivery points. Williton would be the only main family centre in West Somerset. 

In South Somerset there are six centres: one in Chard, three in Yeovil, one in Ilchester and one in Wincanton. Reckleford Children's Centre in Chard would become the main centre. 

Five other centres in Mendip would be reduced to two family centres. 

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “This autumn we will be consulting on how we deliver support for children and families across the county. The aim is a make sure we are providing services in a way that gets support to the people who need it most, where it is easy for them to access.

“We expect to be able to offer better co-ordinated services, including comprehensive health visiting and school nursing.

“This could be delivered from some of our existing Sure Start Children’s Centres and a wide range of community venues, as well as outreach work in people’s homes.

“This approach is well-established nationally, and recognises the importance of the services and support and the staff that deliver them, rather than buildings.

“There are currently 24 Sure Start Children’s Centres in the county. Decisions taken in 2014 saw 15 de-designated – some continue to provide some children’s centre services and others have been taken on by schools or nurseries to provide spaces.

"We cannot pre-empt the consultation, but expect all the buildings to continue to be used as resources for children, either delivering support services or nursery or school places."

The consultation will be available from Monday.