Decision details

The Bright Start Children Centre Service is remodelling to develop a sustainable programme within its current budget whilst minimising impact on children and families that are most in need.

The Cabinet Members agree that:

The four buildings included within the report (Weston Children’s Centre, Chew Valley Children’s Centre, Midsomer Norton Children’s Centre, Paulton Children’s Centre and the Annex building on the Castle Primary School site) are leased to community organisation to ensure and promote more effective use-age by the respective community groups.

The rationale for this decision is that current (Hub and spoke) model operated by Bright-Start staff means that these buildings are not fully utilised. Other local organisations have expressed interest in running the buildings and making more effective use of them for each local community.

This option has been chosen as it can be achieved within the time-scale required and has the least impact on families and children as it ensures the ongoing provision of Children’s Centre Hub’s in the key areas (Radstock, Keynsham and central Bath) as previously agreed by the Council in 2014. 

Option for the sale of buildings have been explored. However it is felt that the value of the buildings being run by local community organisations provides better long-term value to both the communities and the Council than a cash sale.