FULL services could be retained at every Sure Start centre as Kirklees Council looks set for a U-turn.

Officials had proposed reducing the services at 17 of the 32 children’s centres in the district to save £1.4m.

But the Sure Starts could be saved in their current format following this week’s budget meeting.

Kirklees is still committed to making the cut – but councillors may decide to spread the burden wider than just children’s centres.

Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan said yesterday: “The savings can be made as a result of reduction of management costs across the whole of Children and Young People’s Service.”

Officials had proposed keeping 15 so-called “lead” Sure Starts in poorer areas which would offer full services, including advice about health, education, domestic violence and teenage pregnancy.

The other 17 children’s centres would be downgraded to “associate” – meaning they offered less help to families.

The changes would force some parents in richer areas of Kirklees would have to travel further to get certain services.

But yesterday Clr Khan said the officers’ terms had been ditched.

“We are dropping the notion of lead and associate children’s centres,” said the Greenhead Labour man.