Permission granted in challenge to closure of 19 children's centres

On 13 June 2019, following a half day hearing, Supperstone J granted permission to apply for judicial review in the case of R (F) v Buckinghamshire County Council, a challenge to the Council's decision to close 19 of its 35 children's centres. Permission was granted on all 6 grounds pleaded. These include the argument that the Council's consultation was unlawful and that it failed to comply with the sufficiency duty under s.5A of the Childcare Act 2006. The claim has been expedited, with the final hearing listed for 2 and 3 July 2019.

Katherine Barnes acts for the Claimant, led by Stephen Broach at Monckton Chambers, instructed by James Betts at Irwin Mitchell.