Decision details

The PDS Panel received the report of the Task & Finish Group following their review of Early Years, Children's Centre and Early Help (0 - 11 years) Services and from that made recommendations to Cabinet.  Cabinet considered the Panel’s recommendations at its meeting on 13^th November 2013.  The Cabinet decision from that meeting was Called-in and the Call-in was considered by the Panel at its meeting on 25^th November 2013.  The Panel agreed to uphold the Call-in and to ask Cabinet to reconsider its original decision.

Cabinet considered the Panel’s recommendations at a meeting on 4^th December 2013.  The reconsidered decision made at that meeting was not subject to Call-in.

The Panel received a presentation from Officers on the developing model at its meeting in January 2014 and Cabinet considered the matter under the discussion of the budget at its meeting on 12^th February 2014.  An update report will be brought to Cabinet at its meeting on 11^th June 2014.

The Panel will receive and comment on the report to Cabinet on September 8^th prior to the Cabinet meeting on September 10^th.

(1)  to include within its budget proposals to Council, the proposed adjustment which permanently deletes the £500,000 savings originally required from the Early Years and Children’s Centres base budget in 2014/15 and subsequent years;

(2)  to note and accept the emerging models and proposals for each of the five service areas;

(3)  to instruct officers to formally consult on the proposals for these services; and

(4)  to instruct officers to bring back to Cabinet fully developed models and proposals for the future delivery of each service.

The amendment to the level of budget saving required will make a significant difference to the Council’s ability to meet its statutory duties and deliver a service in accordance with the agreed design principles.

Consultation has suggested that it would not be acceptable to propose the closure any of the 11 Children’s Centres.