CASH-strapped Thurrock Council is considering bringing in a sponsor for a summer playscheme for disabled children.

The council is upping its fees and charges for a range of services, including the playscheme which set to rise by two per cent from £18.50 per day per child to £19 in 2022/23.

The Short Break and Outreach Service has been operating a Summer Playscheme for Disabled Children at the Sunshine Centre in Tilbury for a number of years. It provides activities for children who cannot access mainstream holiday clubs due their complex and special needs.

The service runs for four days per week for four weeks of the summer holidays and accommodates 50 children every day.

A report to the children's services overview and scrutiny committee which meets on Wednesday (1 December), says: "Parents are charged a fee to assist with the high cost of the scheme, which is used to fund towards the high ratio of staff needed to provide a safe service.

"The parent contributions do not cover the overall cost of the service and the deficit is covered by the directorate. Sponsorship of the service is being considered to cover the shortfall for 2022/23 as recommended by the recent Children's Service review."

Cllr Barry Johnson, who is the portfolio holder for children's services and education, welcomed the suggestion of sponsorship.

He said: "I would certainly encourage this. It hasn't gone any further than being something we would look at.

"No talks have taken place with anyone yet and I would say they would have to be vetted but a sponsor may benefit from a bit of advertising. It's a shame we have to look at this but everyone is in the same boat."