Issue - items at meetings - Children’s Services Fees and Charges 2015/16

Report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services

Contact Officer: Louise Hoten                    Tel: 01273 293440

Ward Affected: All Wards

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the position on fees charged for nurseries as detailed in Section 3.3 of the report be agreed;

(2)  That the position on fees charged for Childcare Workforce Development as detailed in Section 3.4 of the report be agreed;

(3)  That the position re Children’s Centres as detailed in Section 3.5 of the report be agreed to not introduce charging for some Children Centre activities;

(4)  That the position on the charges for school meals as detailed in Section 3.7 of the report be noted.

(5)  That the position on fees charged by Portslade Sports Centre as detailed in Section 3.8 and Appendix 2 of the report be noted.

70.1      The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services, which provided a review of Children’s Services fees and charges. The report was introduced byAssistant Director Children’s Services (Education and Inclusion) and the Head of Surestart Service. The Committee were advised that all the recommendations in the report were subject to agreement of the forthcoming budget which would be decided in February 2015.

70.2      Councillor Simson asked how the rates for the Council run nurseries compared to private or voluntary sector nurseries. The Head of Surestart Service said that some were more expensive and some were cheaper, but it was difficult to have a direct comparison as some had different rates for different age groups, and some charged for nappies or meals etc.

70.3      Councillor Wealls referred to paragraph 3.3.3 of the report which stated that the proposal was to increase fees by 2%, and questioned whether that figure was correct as it appeared that the increase was actually 6%. The Head of Surestart Services said that the proposal was to increase the standard rate by 2%, and on top of that to charge for the cost of meals so the overall increase did appear to be higher.

70.4      Councillor Pissaridou asked if there would be any exemptions for nursery school charges, and was advised that all three and four year olds were entitled to free nursery school for 15 hours per week. Two year olds, whose parents/carers were in receipt of certain benefits, low income etc, would be entitled to the same amount of free childcare.

70.5      Councillor Wealls referred to the Music and Arts service and the proposal to increase fees and reduction in the level of subsidy, and noted that the budget strategy for 2015/16 proposed that the service lose £68k of its Council funding. The Chair said that as the budget had not yet been agreed, there had been no decision on the possible cuts to the Music and Arts service, and therefore suggested that Recommendation 2.4 could not be agreed at this time. The solicitor said that as the budget had not yet been agreed the Committee, at this time, could recommend the changes to the fees and subsidy. When the budget was set the Committee would need then need to agree any changes.

70.6      Councillor Wealls formally proposed ‘That Recommendation 2.4 in the report be removed’. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Simson. The Committee agreed to remove Recommendation 2.4.

70.7      The Committee considered the remaining recommendations and they were agreed. Councillors Pissaridou, Gilbey and Lepper abstained from the vote.

70.8    RESOLVED:

(1)  That the position on fees charged for nurseries as detailed in Section 3.3 of the report be agreed;

(2)  That the position on fees charged for Childcare Workforce Development as detailed in Section 3.4 of the report be agreed;

(3)  That the position re Children’s Centres as detailed in Section 3.5 of the report be agreed to not introduce charging for some Children Centre activities;

(4)  That the position on the charges for school meals as detailed in Section 3.7 of the report be noted.

(5)  That the position on fees charged by Portslade Sports Centre as detailed in Section 3.8 and Appendix 2 of the report be noted.