Issue - meetings

This report considers the work undertaken on the business case for developing a staff mutual vehicle to deliver the Council’s Children’s Centre Services and the requirement to implement the two service model. A decision has now been made to cease work on the development of the business case for the staff mutual and not proceed with the implementation of the two service model.

The Director for Children & Young People, Strategy & Commissioning explained that a review and redesign of Children Centre services was carried out following the budget setting process of 2013 and was supported by a task and finish group of the Early Years, Children & Youth Panel. The new model for service delivery was agreed at Cabinet in September 2014.

He said that a Staff Mutual Project Board was established to provide independent support and a challenge through the development process.

He informed the Panel that the Board had now concluded that the potential gains of a staff mutual model are not sufficient to outweigh the financial disadvantages. He added that both the Council run service and the commissioned service (First Steps) have confirmed that the services can be delivered within the reduced budget without the need to move to a two centre management arrangement.

The Chair congratulated the staff group managers for being able to self-fund the delivery of some universal services. She asked for reassurance that the momentum of expanding the trading of services isn’t lost.

The Service Manager for 0-11 Outcomes replied that the demand for services is high and that they feel there is potential and an appetite to deliver universal services.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if the service could still bid for grants.

The Service Manager for 0-11 Outcomes replied that they have a strong partnership with First Steps and others, including Sirona and would work with them on related bids which can be submitted by those partners with input from the service.

The People & Communities Strategic Director added that the Council would be part of the planning process for grant bids.

The Panel RESOLVED note the report.