Campaigners fighting the closure of the county’s children’s centres have raised fresh concerns residents are being “ignored” – in the same week Wycombe’s MP backed the plans.

In September, Bucks County Council unveiled new proposals to replace 35 children’s centres in the council with 14 family centres – which council chiefs say will serve a wider range of people.

A consultation into the changes was launched at the beginning of October – however campaigner Alka Dass has raised concerns the three planned public meetings will not be enough to gather the views of all residents affected.

She said: “We have had residents come forwards and ask for meetings in Iver and in Buckingham but still they have not been arranged.

“How can you claim to be doing a consultation again because you want to listen to the views of residents but then completely ignore their views that they have also shared before. More public meetings are needed and it’s not good enough to spend £50,000 on an external agency and then only have three public meetings.”

Last week, Wycombe’s MP Steve Baker backed BCC’s overhaul of the early help service – which provides early intervention support for families – stating: “I want to make sure families get the right help when they need it most”.

Cabinet member for children’s services, Warren Whyte, said the public meetings form part of the consultation process – however residents are urged to share their views by completing a survey.

He said: “We are actively promoting the Early Help Consultation process across Buckinghamshire and we want to hear residents’ thoughts on the three options and our Early Help Strategy.

“We are encouraging residents to complete the consultation survey through promotions in lots of ways including via social media, direct mail, children’s centres, GP surgeries, schools, youth and multi-cultural centres.

“Three public meetings will take place as part of the consultation process, providing residents with the opportunity to find out more information on the proposed changes.

“Evening meetings will be held in Aylesbury and High Wycombe, and a daytime meeting in Amersham with a crèche.”

All information about the consultation and how to complete the survey is available online at www.buckscc.gov.uk/earlyhelp