Decision - Sure Start Capital and Fairlight Children's Centre

1.       That the creation of a new Children’s Centre venue at Fairlight School be agreed at a cost of £100,000, by converting an existing classroom and creating a separate entrance to be funded from the reduction in funding for Shenfield Way from £200,000 to £100,000 – Surestart Capital Programme to be amended accordingly.

2.       That the change of the status of the Saltdean and Goldstone Children’s Centres be agreed so that they are not designated centres that will be inspected by Ofsted.  They will continue to be known locally as Children’s Centres and offer services in the same way as Bevendean and Coldean Children’s Centres.

3.       That some changes in the Sure Start capital programme be agreed, which include reducing the funding for Shenfield Way from £200,00 to £100,000 and increasing the funding for Hollingbury Park (from £500,000 to £600,000) from the unallocated balance of Quality and Access Sure Start grant – Sure Start Capital Programme to be amended accordingly.

1.       To meet the sufficiency duty for children’s centres and to improve access to children’s centres services for families near the Lewes Road. 

2.       To follow the latest advice on size of the catchment areas for children’s centres and their future sustainability.

3.       To reflect the latest information from feasibility studies on the costs of capital projects.

1.       Not developing a children’s centre at Fairlight School would mean that Brighton and Hove would not meet its new statutory duty to ensure sufficient children’s centres and that families along the Lewes Road would not have easy access to a children’s centre.

2.       The size and location of the Goldstone and Saltdean children’s centres mean that they are unlikely to be sustainable as separate chidlren’s centres in the longer term and may not receive positive Ofsted inspections.

3.       The original objectives for Shenfield Way can be achieved at a lower cost.  If the budget for the Hollingbury Park building is not increased then the building will not be fit for purpose.