Wycombe District Council failed to address “offensive and very negative” comments made by a councillor about the county’s at-risk children’s centres and their users. 

In November, the Bucks Free Press revealed that Cllr Wendy Mallen criticised women in their “expensive cars” using the children’s centres – which are at risk of being axed under proposed changes by Bucks County Council (BCC) – and said money is being “wasted”.

She also branded protests over the potential closures “hysteria” and slammed people who were “just sat there doing absolutely nothing”.

At a full council meeting on Monday night, Cllr Graham Peart, cabinet member for community at Wycombe District Council, was asked directly by Labour chair Khalil Ahmed if Cllr Mallen’s comments were the official view of the district council, but he avoided answering the question. 

Cllr Ahmed highlighted how a children’s centre in Totteridge currently has 979 children under the age of five living in its catchment area. A total of 628 of them – more than 64 per cent - are registered with the children’s centre. 

More than 38 per cent – 375 children – have had at least one contact with the centre over the last year and 191 – more than 19 per cent – have had multiple. 

He said: “Clearly, this is a vital service on which many local residents rely, so why isn’t WDC protesting more actively against planned closure of this and many other centres?”

He added: “A few weeks ago the local press reported on some offensive and very negative comments made by Cllr Wendy Mallen about the children’s centres, the residents who used them and the campaign against their closure. 

“Was Cllr Mallen expressing opinions held by Wycombe District Council cabinet, and if not, could the cabinet member share WDC’s official view of the children’s centres and the residents who use them?” 

Cllr Peart said it would not be possible to make “any further useful comment” until the county council completes its review of its Early Help services – which includes the children’s centres – in January. 

He said: “It is an issue that is very current. We await the outcome in the New Year.

“I can confirm there has been communication with the relevant members at BCC on the matter to raise concerns about the delivery of children’s services that are much-needed to better assist the most vulnerable families in Wycombe and in particular the children within those families. 

“We have also offered to work closely with BCC to give assistance locally where we can provide it. When the proposals are known we will be able to assess them and respond accordingly. 

“I’m very hopeful there will be an improved connection with the most needy families and that children will benefit accordingly from the improved delivery and coordination of the multiple services that are often required.

“Until the review is complete, it is impossible to make further comment.”