Agenda for Children & Young People Cabinet Member Meeting on Monday, 6th July, 2009, 4.00pm
navigation and tools
Find it
You are here - Home : Council and Democracy : Councillors and Committees : Agenda, decisions and minutes
Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 210 KBVenue: Committee Room 3, Hove Town Hall. View directions
Contact: Nara Miranda, Democratic Services Officer
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Procedural Business
(b) Exclusion of Press and Public - To consider whether, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, or the nature of the proceedings, the press and public should be excluded from the meeting when any of the following items are under consideration.
NOTE: Any item appearing in Part 2 of the Agenda states in its heading either that it is confidential or the category under which the information disclosed in the report is exempt from disclosure and therefore not available to the public.
A list and description of the categories of exempt information is available for public inspection at Brighton and Hove Town Halls.
Minutes: 1a Declarations of Interest
1.1 There were none.
1b. Exclusion of Press and Public
1.2 In accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (‘the Act’), the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during an item of business on the grounds that it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press or public were present during that item, there would be disclosure to them of confidential information (as defined in section 100A(3) of the Act) or exempt information (as defined in section 100I(1) of the Act).
1.3 RESOLVED – That the Press and the Public be not excluded from the meeting.
|
|
|
Minutes of the previous meeting Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 April 2009 (copy attached). Minutes: 2.1 RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2009 be approved and signed by the Cabinet Member as a correct record. |
|
|
Cabinet Member's Communications Minutes: 3.1 There were none. |
|
|
Items reserved for discussion (a) Items reserved by the Cabinet Member
(b) Items reserved by the Opposition Spokesperson
(c) Items reserved by Members, with the agreement of the Cabinet Member.
NOTE: Petitions, Public Questions, Deputations, Letters from Councillors, Written Questions from Councillors and Notices of Motion will be reserved automatically.
Minutes: 4.1 RESOLVED – All items were reserved for discussion by the Cabinet Member. |
|
|
Petitions No petitions received by date of publication.
Minutes: 5.1 No petitions had received. |
|
|
Public Questions (The closing date for receipt of public questions is12 noon on 29 June)
No public questions received by date of publication. Minutes: 6. No public questions had been received. |
|
|
Deputations (The closing date for receipt of deputations is 12 noon on 29 June 2009)
No deputations received by date of publication. Minutes: 7.1 No deputations had been received. |
|
|
Letters from Councillors (i) Early Years Capital Grant – Letter from Councillor Carden (copy attached). Minutes: 8 (i) Letter – Early Years Capital Grant
8.1 A letter was received from Councillor Carden regarding the Early Years Capital Grant.
8.2 Councillor Carden did not attend the meeting to present the letter. The Cabinet Member agreed to send a written response to Councillor Carden.
8.3 RESOLVED – That the letter be noted and a copy of the response be sent to Councillor Carden and to the Opposition Spokesperson, Labour Group. |
|
|
Written Questions from Councillors No written questions have been received. Minutes: 9.1 No Written Questions from Councillors had been received. |
|
|
Notices of Motions No Notices of Motion have been referred.
Minutes: 10.1 No Notices of Motion had been received. |
|
|
Early Years Capital Grant
Report of the Director of Children’s Services (copy attached). Additional documents: Decision: 1. That the development of the Preston Park Children’s Centre at the Fiveways Pre School Playgroup, off Florence Road, be agreed as per the proposals set out in the report.
2. That the following allocations for the Early Years Capital Grant (full details as set out in annex 1 to the report, all subject to further local consultation) be agreed: · Stringer Playgroup, Surrenden Campus – up to £160,000 · St Joseph’s Playgroup, Hollingdean- up to £50,000 · Little Ducklings, Hangleton – up to £70,000 · Roundabout Nursery – up to £200,000 · Brighton Unemployed Centre – up to £90,000 · Village Under Fives, Portslade – up to £300,000
·
Refurbishment and/or rebuilding of sport pavilions housing early
years providers including Dolphins in
Nevill Park, Hollingbury Park Playgroup and Westdene Playgroup subject to further assessments
and local consultation – up to £790,000. Minutes: 11.1 The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services regarding the Early Years Capital Grant, which sought agreement for allocating the Sure Start Early Years Capital Grant from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (for copy see minute book).
11.2 Officers briefly explained that this was the final phase of the distribution and the report proposed how the funds should be spent. It was also explained that the grant, which was to be spent over a 3 years period, would also be utilised to improve existing building and facilities.
11.3 The Cabinet Member indicated that she was aware of the poor conditions of the sports pavilions premises and was pleased to see the site included in these proposals. She further indicated that she was also mindful of the initial difficulties encountered with the Environment department and the issues around joint ownership. She indicated that officers had reassured her that negotiations were taking place and the process was moving forward. She requested that officers kept her up do date with any further developments.
11.4 The Opposition Spokesperson noted the proposed funds for each designated area and noted that the benefits for the most disadvantaged areas from this proposal would be visible.
11.5 The report was welcomed by the Cabinet Member and the Opposition Spokesperson. Members thanked the officers involved with this work and congratulated the team of officers for the enthusiasm shown in relation to it.
11.6 The Head of Service, City Early Years & Childcare, recorded a special mention to her colleague, Jewell Powell, who had been involved with the day to day negotiations of the process.
11.7 RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:
(1) That the development of the Preston Park Children’s Centre at the Fiveways Pre School Playgroup, off Florence Road, be agreed as per the proposals set out in the report.
(2) That the following allocations for the Early Years Capital Grant (full details as set out in annex 1 to the report, all subject to further local consultation) be agreed: · Stringer Playgroup, Surrenden Campus – up to £160,000 · St Joseph’s Playgroup, Hollingdean- up to £50,000 · Little Ducklings, Hangleton – up to £70,000 · Roundabout Nursery – up to £200,000 · Brighton Unemployed Centre – up to £90,000 · Village Under Fives, Portslade – up to £300,000
·
Refurbishment and/or rebuilding of sport pavilions housing early
years providers including Dolphins in
Nevill Park, Hollingbury Park Playgroup and Westdene Playgroup subject to further assessments
and local consultation – up to £790,000. |
|
|
Report of the Director of Children’s Services (copy attached). Decision: 1. That free childcare places be offered to the most disadvantaged two year olds in Brighton & Hove from September 2009.
2. That the following eligibility criteria for children’s participation in the scheme be agreed:
(i) Lives in one of the 10% most disadvantaged areas according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI), and (ii) Lives in a family dependent on workless benefits, and (iii) Is targeted to receive additional health visiting support, and (iv) There is a suitable place available in the scheme
3. That it be agreed that providers participating in the scheme must meet appropriate quality standards, including having a good or outstanding Ofsted grading.
Minutes: 12.1 The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services regarding the provision of free childcare places for two year olds in the most disadvantaged communities. The report sought agreement to offer free childcare places to 15 per cent of the most disadvantaged two year olds in the city from September 2009, as part of the city’s Sure Start early years revenue grant received from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (for copy see minute book).
12.2 The Early Years & Childcare Strategy Manager highlighted that the proposal was targeted to children living in the 10% most disadvantaged areas in the city and that providers had to meet both national and local criteria. She indicated that children’s centres currently offered approximately 100 two year olds free childcare and that this initiative will approximately double that number.
12.3 The Opposition Spokesperson enquired what the situation was in relation to Windsor Street and what would happen with that facility. She considered that teenage parents should not be left out of this initiative.
12.4 The Assistant Director, Area/Locality Working, indicated that officers were in dialog with the housing department as to where to place the young mothers. He clarified, however, that some of fund received would be redirected to what is called a preventative budget and would be utilised to take account of such provisions.
12.5 The Cabinet Member welcomed the report and congratulated the officers involved for the work carried out.
12.6 RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:
(1) That free childcare places be offered to the most disadvantaged two year olds in Brighton & Hove from September 2009.
(2) That the following eligibility criteria for children’s participation in the scheme be agreed:
(i) Lives in one of the 10% most disadvantaged areas according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI), and (ii) Lives in a family dependent on workless benefits, and (iii) Is targeted to receive additional health visiting support, and (iv) There is a suitable place available in the scheme
(3) That it be agreed that providers participating in the scheme must meet appropriate quality standards, including having a good or outstanding Ofsted grading.
|
|
|
Expansion of Davigdor Infant School and Somerhill Junior School Report of the Director of Children’s Services (copy attached). Decision: 1. That the permanent expansion of Davigdor Infant school by one form of entry with effect from September 2010, and the subsequent enlargement of the premises, be agreed.
2. That the permanent expansion of Somerhill Junior school by one form of entry with effect from September 2011, and the subsequent enlargement of the premises, be agreed.
3. That the statutory notices in relation to points (1) and (2) above be confirmed.
Minutes: 13.1 The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services which informed the Cabinet Member of the outcome of the statutory consultation on the proposed permanent expansion of Davigdor Infant and Somerhill Junior schools by one form of entry from September 2010 and 2011 respectively, and the resultant enlargement of the premises (for copy see minute book).
13.2 The Schools Futures Project Director summarised that the proposal had resulted from the recognition for the need for more school places in the Hove central area. He reported that, following consultation, no responses had been received either for or against the proposal, or any formal representations.
13.3 In answer to questions, the Director clarified that officers had been in communication with the governors at both schools. He indicated that initial discussions had taken place in relation to the proposal to merging both schools, in view of the forthcoming retirement of the Headteacher at the infant school. However, both governing bodies had expressed the preference to pursue a more combined way of working at this stage rather than agreeing to an all through primary school.
13.4 The Cabinet Member noted the concerns previously raised in terms of the consultation process and the wish expressed by Members that all the right people were consulted. The Cabinet Member enquired whether this had been adhered to and whether the planning application process had also incorporated that request.
13.5 The Head of Capital Strategy and Development reassured the Cabinet Member that request had been adhered to. She further indicated that both schools had been very engaged in the process. She explained that, in terms of the proposed development at Somerhill, two options were given to the governors and they were more inclined to pursue the option to construct over the car park area at the front of the building and this was the option being developed. She informed the Cabinet Member that the plans were still at design level and the proposal was likely to go Planning Committee towards the end of September.
13.6 The Cabinet Member welcomed the report and requested that the plans be shown to her and the Opposition Spokesperson in due course.
13.7 RESOLVED - That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:
(1) That the permanent expansion of Davigdor Infant school by one form of entry with effect from September 2010, and the subsequent enlargement of the premises, be agreed.
(2) That the permanent expansion of Somerhill Junior school by one form of entry with effect from September 2011, and the subsequent enlargement of the premises, be agreed.
(3) That the statutory notices in relation to points (1) and (2) above be confirmed.
|
|
|
Expansion of Longhill School Report of the Director of Children’s Services (copy attached). Decision: 1. That the permanent expansion of Longhill School by one form of entry with effect from September 2010, and the subsequent enlargement of the premises, be agreed.
2. That the statutory notice in relation to (1) above be confirmed.
Minutes: 14.1 The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services regarding the proposed expansion of Longhill School, which informed the Member of the outcome of the statutory consultation on the proposed permanent expansion of the school by one form of entry from September 2010, and the resultant enlargement of the premises (for copy see minute book).
14.2 The Schools Future Project Director indicated that the proposal had been supported by all parties concerned.
14.3 The Cabinet Member welcomed the report.
14.5 RESOLVED - That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:
(1) That the permanent expansion of Longhill School by one form of entry with effect from September 2010, and the subsequent enlargement of the premises, be agreed.
(2) That the statutory notice in relation to (1) above be confirmed.
|