A SERVICE which helps new parents through their first fewmonths of parenting may be saved.

The Community Mums and Dads and Parents 1st groups are at risk following council cuts, as revealed in the Gazette earlier this month.

But Barbara Rice, Thurrock councillor responsible for health, is hopeful a resolution can be found.

She said: “I spoke with the lead petitioner. I was very impressed with hercommitment and determination.

I promised she and I would meet with our new director of public health, Ian Wake, to see what could be done.

“I looked carefully at the situation to see exactly what was provided at exactly what cost – and what the cost of stopping the service now would be. As Ian and I looked closely, it became clear there were costs to the taxpayer if it were to close now. It would cost more to run the service, but we agreed we would rather pay out for a service people want, instead of paying out for no service at all.

“This also gives us time to fully involve residents about the way future services are planned.”