Agenda for Children & Young People Cabinet Member Meeting on Friday, 20th January, 2012, 2.00pm

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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 3

Contact: Penny, Jennings, Democratic Services Officer 

Items
No. Item

16.

Procedural Business

    (a)   Declarations of Interest by all Members present of any personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Members regard the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

     

    (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:

    16(a)   Declarations of Interests

    16.1    There were none. 

    16(b)   Exclusion of Press and Public

    16.2    In accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the Act”), the Cabinet Member 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 business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and 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(I) of the Act). 

    16.3    RESOLVED - That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Item 28 on the agenda.

17.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 81 KB

    Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 September 2011 (copy attached).

    Minutes:

    17.1    Councillor Wealls referred to Paragraph 15.7 of the minutes and enquired whether this matter would come back to the Cabinet Member meeting for further final decision. It was explained that it would now go forward for direct approval by Cabinet. It was confirmed that details of these changes would be incorporated into the admissions paperwork.[

     

    17.2    RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Children & Young People’s Cabinet Member Meeting held on 12 September 2011 be agreed and signed by the Cabinet Member.

18.

Cabinet Member's Communications

    Minutes:

    18.1    There were none.

19.

Items reserved for discussion

    (a)   Items reserved by the Cabinet Member

     

    (b)   Items reserved by the Opposition Spokespersons

     

    (c)    Items reserved by Members, with the agreement of the Cabinet Member.

     

    NOTE: Public Questions, Written Questions from Councillors, Petitions, Deputations, Letters from Councillors and Notices of Motion will be reserved automatically.

    Minutes:

    19.1    RESOLVED – That all items be reserved for discussion.

20.

Petitions pdf icon PDF 60 KB

    Report of the Strategic Director, Resources (copy attached)

    Minutes:

    20a     Petition –Cloth Nappy Scheme

     

    20.1         The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Strategic Director, Resources detailing a petition submitted via the Council’s website by Brighton Cloth Bots and signed by 19 people. Although the petitioner was unable to present their petition in person the Cabinet Member agreed that her response would be set out in the minutes of the meeting and that a response would also be sent to the lead petitioner following the meeting.

     

    The petition stated that the signatories wished the Council to:

     

                “Bring back a Cloth Nappy Incentive Scheme. We wish the council to provide money back vouchers as an incentive to parents to use reusable nappies.”

     

    20.2         The Cabinet Member responded in the following terms:

     

    ”Thank you for your e-petition.

     

    Reusable nappies are widely believed to have a lower impact on the environment and reduce the total amount of waste to be disposed of and we are keen to encourage people to use them.

     

    In the past the council did offer subsidised reusable nappies however uptake of the scheme was low mainly because:

     

    ·        many parents favour disposable nappies;

    ·        there is such a wide range of reusable products available and we were only able to provide a limited range of products and

    ·        the the level of subsidy we were able to provide was also limited.

     

    We have considered a range of alternative subsidies however none were considered to be cost effective when the cost of managing the scheme and the fact that a proportion of people will not continue using reusable nappies is taken in to account. 

     

    We now provide detailed information on line about reusable nappies together with listings of more than 20 suppliers. We also have contact details for a real nappy advisor who is available to advise new parents.

     

    20.3    RESOLVED – That the content of the petition be received and noted.

21.

Public Questions

    (The closing date for receipt of public questions is 12 noon on 13 January 2012)

     

    No public questions received by date of publication.

    Minutes:

    21.1    There were none.

22.

Deputations

    (The closing date for receipt of deputations is 12 noon on 13 January 2012)

     

    No deputations received by date of publication.

    Minutes:

    22.1    There were none.

23.

Letters from Councillors

    No letters have been received.

    Minutes:

    23.1    There were none.

24.

Written Questions from Councillors

    No written questions have been received.

    Minutes:

    24.1    There were none.

25.

Children's Services Fees and Charges 2012-13 pdf icon PDF 89 KB

    Report of the Strategic Director, People (copy attached)

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    (1)       That the position on fees charged for nurseries as detailed in section 3.3 be agreed;

     

    (2)       That the position on fees and charges for the Learning Development Centre detailed in section 3.4.3 be noted;

     

    (3)       That the fees and charges for 2 012/13 in respect of Surrenden Pool as detailed in section 3.5 and Appendix 2 be agreed;

     

    (4)       That the  position on fees and charges for the Music and Performing Arts Service as detailed in section 3.6 and Appendix 3 be noted; and

     

    (5)       That the  position on the charges for school meals as detailed in section 3.8 be noted.

    Minutes:

    25.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Strategic  Director, People reviewing the Children’s Services fees and charges for 2012-13 In accordance with the corporate policy.

     

    25.2    The Cabinet Member explained that the details set out in report in relation to the music service did not reflect any amendments made by cabinet to the level of savings proposed. In answer to questions by Councillor Marsh it was confirmed that any changes made by Cabinet would carry forward into the report to Budget Council.

     

    25.3    Councillor Marsh enquired regarding whether it was proposed that the charges for use of the swimming pool at St Luke’s school would be increased. It was explained that this facility was run under a separate arrangement with “Freedom Leisure”.

     

    25.4    Councillor Wealls enquired regarding the levels of fee subsidy and fees charged at the City’s five council run nurseries. It was explained that “Bright Start” had begun as a workplace nursery. However, there was no differential in the levels of fees paid, all parents paid the same. As the fee increased for “Jump Start” and “Roundabout” had been significant for 2011/12 they had been staged in order to minimise their impact. The rises proposed for 2012/13 equated to a cost of living rise of 3% and it was proposed that they would be delayed until September 2012.

     

    25.5    RESOLVED (1) That the position on fees charged for nurseries as detailed in section 3.3 be agreed;

     

    (2) That the position on fees and charges for the Learning Development Centre detailed in section 3.4.3 be noted;

     

    (3) That the fees and charges for 2 012/13 in respect of Surrenden Pool as detailed in section 3.5 and Appendix 2 be agreed;

     

    (4) That the position on fees and charges for the Music and Performing Arts Service as detailed in section 3.6 and Appendix 3 be noted; and

     

    (5) That the position on the charges for school meals as detailed in section 3.8 be noted.

26.

Services to Young People 2012-2015 - Joint Commissioning Strategy pdf icon PDF 122 KB

    Report of the Strategic Director, People (copy attached)

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    (1)       That the Services for Young People Joint Commissioning Strategy is agreed; and

     

    (2)       That the Cabinet Member authorises the Strategic Director of People to proceed with the transitional arrangements necessary to implement the proposed strategy.

    Minutes:

    26.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Strategic Director, People detailing the proposed “Services for Young People:  Joint Commissioning Strategy 2012-15”.

     

    26.2    The Lead Commissioner Children, Families and Youth explained that Statutory Guidance on Section 507B of the Education Act 1996 had set a requirement for all local authorities to provide sufficient positive leisure time activities for its young people which promote their wellbeing and are being delivered using youth work methods and approaches. He went on to explain that Section 1 summmarised the Youth Review Process and Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. The assessment had found positive youth services but had also identified  areas for further work. Section 2 of the report had sought to decsribe the outcomes for young people identified during the review and assessment process. Section 3 of the report set out a strategy for achieving the desired outcomes.

     

    26.3    Councillor Wealls enquired regarding the timeframe for entering into new funding agreements, this seemed very short, it was explained however that the evaluation and short listing process was realistic and although subject to change set targets which were achievable.

     

    26.4    Councillor Marsh welcomed the report but was disappointed that the process appeared to be lengthy. Councillor Marsh also enquired regarding the new administrative arrangements, particularly in relation to the JCB. The Cabinet Member stated that the final form of the Committee system which was to be re-instated had yet to be finalised as had where some future responsibilities would lie.

     

    26.5    The Lead Commissioner explained that this approach represented a different approach which was intended to move this area of work forward. Councillor Wealls stated that it was important to ensure that there was proper and meaningful dialogue  between all of the parties.

     

    26.6    RESOLVED - (1) That the Services for Young People Joint Commissioning Strategy is agreed; and

     

    (2) That the Cabinet Member authorises the Strategic Director of People to proceed with the transitional arrangements necessary to implement the proposed strategy.

27.

Brighton & Hove City Council Religious Education Agreed Syllabus 2011 pdf icon PDF 69 KB

    Report of the Strategic Director, People (copy attached)

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

                That the Cabinet Member approves the Agreed Syllabus of Religious Education 2011-2015 at Appendix 1 to the report, for use in Brighton 7 Hove City Council maintained schools.

    Minutes:

    27.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Strategic detailing and seeking approval to the Brighton & Hove Council Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2011- 2015.

     

    27.2    It was explained that each local authority had a statutory duty to adopt an Agreed Syllabus of Religious Education for use by maintained schools in the area and to arrange for it to be reviewed through the Agreed Syllabus Conference at least every five years. The purpose of this report was to seek formal City Council approval for the Agreed Syllabus 2011-2015. This had been approved unanimously by the Agreed Syllabus Conference at its meeting on 1 February 2011.

     

    27.3    Councillor Wealls enquired regarding the differences between this and the current syllabus. It was explained that there were no major differences between the two and that none of the city’s academies had religious foundation status.

     

    27.4    RESOLVED - That the Cabinet Member approves the Agreed Syllabus of Religious Education 2011-2015 at Appendix 1 to the report, for use in Brighton 7 Hove City Council maintained schools.

28.

Procurement of Children's Residential and Foster Care

Decision:

(1)       That the Cabinet member approves a procurement process, to be undertaken jointly with West Sussex County Council, to establish a new framework of approved and preferred independent providers of children’s residential and foster care services when the current framework ends. The term of the new Framework contract shall not exceed four years;

 

(2)       That the Cabinet Member authorises the Strategic Director, People to approve the award of a Framework agreement to selected providers following completion of the procurement  process.

Minutes:

PART TWO

 

Exempt -Under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended - Exempt under paragraphs 2 and 3.

 

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place explaining that Section 22G of the Children Act 1989 required local authorities to secure sufficient accommodation for looked after children which met their needs with in the local area. The commissioning Strategy for services assessments and placements for looked after children had been endorsed by the Cabinet Member for Children, Youth and Families in September 2011.

 


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