Subject: Protecting provision for children and young people

Proposer: Councillor Shanks

Seconder: Councillor Goldsmith

Green Group AMENDMENT

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.

2) Request officers to consider including within the budget proposals no cuts to youth services, and the addition of provision for care of babies under 2 at the Tarner Hub to cover the loss of Bright Start nursery

Supporting Information:

Nine in 10 councils concerned about nursery capacity ahead of 30 hours free childcare extension – new LGA research | Local Government Association