Issue - items at meetings - Sustaining the Stronger Families Stronger Communities Programme in 2015/16

Report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services (copy attached).

The council has a statutory duty to agree a business rates forecast, set out a forecast surplus or deficit for 2014/15 and submit an NNDR1 form by the 31 January 2015.

119.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services in relation to Sustaining the Stronger Families, Stronger Communities Programme in 2015/16. The report outlined the headline results to of the programme, and requested that the Committee agree a carry forward of funding to 2015/16 in order to sustain the expanded programme in April 2015.

119.2    Councillor Shanks noted the success of the programme in the city to date.

119.3    Councillor A. Norman noted that she had been involved with the programme at the early stage, and noted this as an example of a successful central government initiative working in the city. In response to queries the Assistant Director of Children’s Services explained that there was a partnership board that the voluntary sector sat on; the programme had various providers that often only provided one part of the wider programme.

119.4    Councillor Sykes noted the dedication and skill of the staff working in this area; in response to a question the Assistant Director explained that the success was due to the management of the programme, and the balance between the delegated team and the partnership work.

119.5    Councillor Morgan applauded the work of Officers; he noted that a number of the families in the programme lived in his ward and there were very real benefits for families and communities. In response to a query it was clarified that there would be close work with Officers in Public Health to ensure work in relation to violence against women and girls dovetailed with the programme.

119.6    The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote.

119.7    RESOLVED: That the Committee agree the grant carry forward from 2014/15 to 2015/16 of the Troubled Families Programme funding of £596,000 as outlined in paragraph 3.5 below.