Opposition councillors are set to boycott the Battle of Medway events following the decision to move ahead with a consultation on Sure Start closures.

Last night, Medway Council’s Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee voted to begin the consultation despite strong opposition to the plans.

The proposal is to close the 19 Sure Start Centres across the Towns and create larger ‘super hubs’.

The meeting was attended by around 80 members of the public who support keeping the centres open.

Today, Labour councillors Vince Maple, Teresa Murray, Adam Price and Andy Stamp, have said they will not be accepting any civic invitations to the upcoming events marking 350 years since the Dutch destroyed the Royal fleet at Chatham.

The open letter sent to council leader, Alan Jarrett, said: “Last night your Conservative colleagues on the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny committee heard compelling and moving testimony from academics, early years practitioners and service users about the outcome-based case for universal and accessible Sure Starts.

“Sadly, instead of acting on independent expert opinion and accepting Labour’s gilt-edged invitation to keep our options open by adding a status quo alternative to the consultation, the Cabinet’s decision was rubberstamped without much overview, or indeed any scrutiny from your group.”

The committee heard from parents who have used the centres, as well as professionals, including Dr Eleanor Jupp, a lecturer in social policy at the University of Kent, and Jan Taylor, head teacher of Pilgrims School in Borstal.

The letter continued: “We are well aware that the sums of money it is proposed to save from closing all 19 centres and replacing them with four “super” hubs are far greater than any council contributions to Battle of Medway commemorations.

“But in light of public anger at the Tory group’s decision to spend £60,000 of savings from the children’s budget on fireworks to mark what was a catastrophic defeat by the Dutch navy, it would be inappropriate for any Medway Labour councillor to accept any civic invitations to Battle of Medway events.

“Our area’s military and cultural heritage is important. It tells us where we have come from and shapes who we are. But it is not more important than the present or future.

“Today the clock is ticking on a public consultation on Sure Start closures. Despite it starting in the middle of a general election campaign. Despite it being held in a period when pre-school families often take an early summer break. Despite the meeting to report back to Cabinet being buried during the school summer holiday.

“There is no acceptable option on the table, yet the public are forced to enter into the now-familiar charade of a consultation on their views.

“Labour councillors have been listening to the public from the start. We can only hope at some point you and the rest of the Tory group start listening too.”

The letter was signed by all four councillors, and concluded: “Enjoy your fireworks.”