Issue - items at meetings - Phase 3 Children's Centre

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

1.       That the use of £300,000 of the capital funding to ensure that the existing Children’s Centres are fully functional by funding both maintenance and improvements to the existing buildings and outside spaces where needed be agreed.

2.       That the development of three gateway Children’s Centres in the following areas be agreed:

·        Preston Park

·        Westdene

·        Rottingdean/Saltdean

3.       That a review of whether an additional Children’s Centre was needed in Hove be agreed, subject to a decision having been made to develop a new school there as part of the Primary Strategy.

4.       That, in accordance with Children’s Centre Phase 3 Planning and Delivery Guidance, CYPT officers be requested to ask existing private, voluntary, independent or statutory services for children and families in the areas listed in (2) above, to express an interest in developing a Children’s Centre based on an agreed specification.    

5.       That it be agreed to consult local families about the final location of the Children’s Centre in each of these areas. 

23.1    The Board considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services regarding the Department for Children, Schools and Families request that Brighton & Hove agree the number and location of the third and final phase of Children’s Centres to open by March 2010 (for copy see minute book). 

23.2    The Head of Service, City Early Years and Childcare, explained that the reasons for the recommendations were to follow DCSF requirements. The proposal was to create three small children’s centres to ensure citywide coverage, as per the DCSF requirements, whilst also ensuring full use was made of existing Children’s Centres to improve their long-term sustainability.

23.3    Members welcomed the report and the fact that health implications had been considered. Members also welcomed Government guidance that local authorities filled in any remaining gaps where such services were needed to support local families.

23.4    RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Board accepted the following recommendations:

(1) That the use of £300,000 of the capital funding to ensure that the existing Children’s Centres are fully functional by funding both maintenance and improvements to the existing buildings and outside spaces where needed be agreed.

(2)  That the development of three gateway Children’s Centres in the following areas be agreed:

·    Preston Park

·    Westdene

·    Rottingdean/Saltdean

(3)   That a review of whether an additional Children’s Centre was needed in Hove be agreed, subject to a decision being made to develop a new school as part of the Primary Strategy for Change.

(4)  That, in accordance with Children’s Centre Phase 3 Planning and Delivery Guidance, CYPT officers be requested to ask existing private, voluntary, independent or statutory services for children and families in the areas listed in (2) above, to express an interest in developing a Children’s Centre based on an agreed specification.    

(5)  That it be agreed to consult local families about the final location of the Children’s Centre in each of these areas.