Subject:		Council nurseries only open to critical worker and vulnerable children
Date of Meeting:		11 January 2021
Report of:		Interim Director for Families, Children and Learning
Contact Officer:	Name:	Caroline Parker	Tel:	01273 293587
	Email:	Caroline.parker@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected:		All

By reason of the special circumstances, and in accordance with section 100B(4)(b) of the 1972 Act, the Chair of the meeting has been consulted and is of the opinion that this item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency because it has been subject to an urgent decision by the Executive Director Families Children & Learning

FOR GENERAL RELEASE

1.         PURPOSE OF REPORT AND POLICY CONTEXT

1.1 The paper outlines the use of officer urgency powers by the Interim Executive Director, Families, Children & Learning to agree to only open Council nurseries for critical worker and vulnerable children.

2.         RECOMMENDATIONS:    

2.1 That the Committee notes the use of officer urgency powers by the Interim Executive Director, Families, Children & Learning to agree that Council nurseries should only be open to critical worker and vulnerable children from 7 January 2021.

3. CONTEXT/ BACKGROUND INFORMATION

3.1 The context and background information are set out in the attached paper. It was not possible to delay this decision until a full committee meeting because of the the rapidly raising rates of Covid in the city.

3.2 The Council’s decision to limit attendance at Council nurseries to vulnerable children and the children of critical workers, does not suggest nurseries are no longer safe places.   Instead, limiting attendance at our council nurseries is one way in which the Council can reduce the number of contacts between people and reduce the transmission of Covid.

4. ANALYSIS & CONSIDERATION OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

4.1 This is included in the attached record of urgent decision. 

5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & CONSULTATION

5.1 Private, voluntary and independent early years providers were informed of the Council’s decision.

6.         CONCLUSION

6.1 This is included in the attached record of urgent decision.

7.         FINANCIAL & OTHER IMPLICATIONS:

Financial Implications:

7.1 This is included in the attached record of urgent decision.

            Finance Officer Consulted:     Name:  Steve Williams               Date: 06/01/2021

Legal Implications:

7.2 This is included in the attached record of urgent decision.

Lawyer Consulted:                   Name: Elizabeth Culbert            Date: 07/01/2021

Equalities Implications:

7.3 Nurseries are working to prioritise as many places as possible for vulnerable children including SEND children receiving additional support funding, funded places for two-year olds and Early Years Pupil Premium children.

Sustainability Implications:

7.4 None.

Brexit Implications:

7.5 None.

Any Other Significant Implications:

7.6       Public Health Implications:

            The aim of the decision was to reduce the number of contacts between people to help reduce the transmission of Covid in the city.     

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Appendices: 

           Record of urgent decision to only open Council nurseries to critical worker and vulnerable children.