Council
Agenda Item 88
Subject: Protecting provision for children and young people
Date of meeting: 1 February 2024
Proposer: Councillor Shanks
Seconder: Councillor Goldsmith
Ward(s) affected: All
Notice of Motion
Green Group
This council notes:
1)
The
crucial role child and youth provision, including by the community
and voluntary sector, plays in the physical, mental, and social
development of young people in Brighton & Hove
2)
The
impact of school and nursery closures in the context of a
nationwide crisis in early years, which has caused
concern among
local authorities about the ability to deliver the extension of the
Government’s 30 hours free childcare scheme
3) The fragile state of funding for youth services, and in national funding for children’s social care, impacting on the life chances of young people, care leavers, and those needing extra support from 0-25
Therefore, resolves to:
1) Request a report to the Children, Families, and Schools Committee detailing:
a. our support for the work of CVS organisations in the city, how we can look to protect these services, champion their values, and;
b. how this council can work more closely with young people, children and families, in particular to guarantee a minimum consultation period of two months ahead of any future proposals to close or move any early years childcare, schools, or child and youth provision;
c. how our communications can more effectively reach all children and young people, and how their voices can be heard when budget cuts affecting their services are being considered;
d. how we can work with educators to establish a clear framework for deciding which schools or nurseries should close, if more closures are considered in future.
Supporting Information: