Agenda item

8.1

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, submitted  

a report the outcomes of the consultation carried out between early

December 2012 and early February 2013 and associated update of the

equality assessments and to seek approval for the final

recommendations in respect of the redesign of early years services.

8.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet having taken into consideration all the background documents referred to in the report now submitted:-

(a)

to develop a revised action plan for a quality framework and make this available to all providers in line with comments from the consultation and in recognition of the Government proposals for Improving Quality and Changes to Regulatory Regime outlined in the DfE publication ‘More Great Childcare’, and the Government Bill, Children and Families Bill 2012-13 (first reading House of Commons, 4 February 2013;

(b)

approves the transition plans as set out in this report;

(c)

notes the findings from the consultation and revised equality impact assessments;

(d)

approves the following revised recommendations:-

(i)

to develop a revised action plan for a quality framework and make this available to all providers in line with comments from the consultation and in recognition of the Government proposals for Improving Quality and Changes to Regulatory Regime outlined in the DfE publication ‘More Great Childcare’, and the Government Bill, Children and Families Bill 2012-13 (first reading House of Commons, 4 February 2013;

(ii)

to reorganise the 36 Ofsted - registered Children’s Centres into 17 areas each with a named main site and a number of outreach delivery sites;

(iii)

to note that the 17 areas have been amended following suggestions from the consultation process;

(iv)

that a statutory process be undertaken to deregister the 19 centres that no longer require Ofsted registration;

(v)

that the present policy of “block purchasing” premises and hosting payments will cease and in the future “spot purchase” of venues will be undertaken when and where they are needed;

(vi)

to develop a comprehensive communication plan to inform parents of the venues and the types of support available in the new 17 areas;

(vii)

to cease childcare subsidy grants to 20 providers in the Private Voluntary and Independent and Statutory sector on 31^st March 2013;

(viii)

that the local authority will offer to continue to work with these providers, on an individual basis, over a three month period to give them support to develop their business plans for their organisation and to help them become sustainable,  these plans to include financial forecasts, management costs, staffing structures and ways to develop flexible and accessible services to children and families and assist in seeking other forms of income;

(ix)

to transfer the management and delivery of 7 Local Authority nurseries, by continuing the transfer of 3 nurseries to Schools, and to progress the transfer of the 4 remaining nurseries within the childcare market, in line with local authority employment policies and negotiation with trade unions in order to retain qualified staff across the sector;

(x)

that existing contracts with the providers set out in Appendix 2 are not renewed and for time limited transitional arrangements to be put in place based on service demand and to accommodate Procurement Employment Legislation where applicable;

(xi)

that specifications for procurement of targeted services required to fulfil the Council’s statutory duties will be developed; and

(xii)

that Cabinet notes and approves that decisions made to implement the recommendations will be made by the Cabinet member or officers in accordance with the Leader’s Scheme of Delegation.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8..3.1

The decision has been made taking into account the outcomes of the communication and consultation process, which commenced in early December 2012 and concluded in early February 2013, around the in principle proposals set out in the Cabinet paper of 12 December, 2012. The decision is necessary in order to redesign and streamline early years’ services to make savings across management, administration and premises and prioritising early intervention and family support services that are flexible, accessible and of high quality.

8.3.2

The size, depth of the savings proposed and the timescale are as a result of the severe Government cuts to funding and changes in Government strategies for early years.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

These recommendations follow the original proposals that were put to

Cabinet in December 2012. Alterations to the original proposals have

been made to reflect the consultation that has taken place. In compiling

the original proposals alternatives were considered:-

• To make no changes. This is not possible given the reductions to funding and Government policy changes

• To outsource all early years activities. This is not possible at this time due to the breadth of changes required and the potential change to the role of local authorities in respect of early year’s services.

8.4.2

The proposals outlined and the changes made are in line with the local authority’s statutory duties and responsibilities that with the restricted financial position take priority to maintain.

8.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

8.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

8.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Jayne Ludlam, Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families.

8.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Children, Young People and Family Support.

8.1

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, submitted  

a report the outcomes of the consultation carried out between early

December 2012 and early February 2013 and associated update of the

equality assessments and to seek approval for the final

recommendations in respect of the redesign of early years services.

8.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet having taken into consideration all the background documents referred to in the report now submitted:-

(a)

to develop a revised action plan for a quality framework and make this available to all providers in line with comments from the consultation and in recognition of the Government proposals for Improving Quality and Changes to Regulatory Regime outlined in the DfE publication ‘More Great Childcare’, and the Government Bill, Children and Families Bill 2012-13 (first reading House of Commons, 4 February 2013;

(b)

approves the transition plans as set out in this report;

(c)

notes the findings from the consultation and revised equality impact assessments;

(d)

approves the following revised recommendations:-

(i)

to develop a revised action plan for a quality framework and make this available to all providers in line with comments from the consultation and in recognition of the Government proposals for Improving Quality and Changes to Regulatory Regime outlined in the DfE publication ‘More Great Childcare’, and the Government Bill, Children and Families Bill 2012-13 (first reading House of Commons, 4 February 2013;

(ii)

to reorganise the 36 Ofsted - registered Children’s Centres into 17 areas each with a named main site and a number of outreach delivery sites;

(iii)

to note that the 17 areas have been amended following suggestions from the consultation process;

(iv)

that a statutory process be undertaken to deregister the 19 centres that no longer require Ofsted registration;

(v)

that the present policy of “block purchasing” premises and hosting payments will cease and in the future “spot purchase” of venues will be undertaken when and where they are needed;

(vi)

to develop a comprehensive communication plan to inform parents of the venues and the types of support available in the new 17 areas;

(vii)

to cease childcare subsidy grants to 20 providers in the Private Voluntary and Independent and Statutory sector on 31^st March 2013;

(viii)

that the local authority will offer to continue to work with these providers, on an individual basis, over a three month period to give them support to develop their business plans for their organisation and to help them become sustainable,  these plans to include financial forecasts, management costs, staffing structures and ways to develop flexible and accessible services to children and families and assist in seeking other forms of income;

(ix)

to transfer the management and delivery of 7 Local Authority nurseries, by continuing the transfer of 3 nurseries to Schools, and to progress the transfer of the 4 remaining nurseries within the childcare market, in line with local authority employment policies and negotiation with trade unions in order to retain qualified staff across the sector;

(x)

that existing contracts with the providers set out in Appendix 2 are not renewed and for time limited transitional arrangements to be put in place based on service demand and to accommodate Procurement Employment Legislation where applicable;

(xi)

that specifications for procurement of targeted services required to fulfil the Council’s statutory duties will be developed; and

(xii)

that Cabinet notes and approves that decisions made to implement the recommendations will be made by the Cabinet member or officers in accordance with the Leader’s Scheme of Delegation.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8..3.1

The decision has been made taking into account the outcomes of the communication and consultation process, which commenced in early December 2012 and concluded in early February 2013, around the in principle proposals set out in the Cabinet paper of 12 December, 2012. The decision is necessary in order to redesign and streamline early years’ services to make savings across management, administration and premises and prioritising early intervention and family support services that are flexible, accessible and of high quality.

8.3.2

The size, depth of the savings proposed and the timescale are as a result of the severe Government cuts to funding and changes in Government strategies for early years.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

These recommendations follow the original proposals that were put to

Cabinet in December 2012. Alterations to the original proposals have

been made to reflect the consultation that has taken place. In compiling

the original proposals alternatives were considered:-

• To make no changes. This is not possible given the reductions to funding and Government policy changes

• To outsource all early years activities. This is not possible at this time due to the breadth of changes required and the potential change to the role of local authorities in respect of early year’s services.

8.4.2

The proposals outlined and the changes made are in line with the local authority’s statutory duties and responsibilities that with the restricted financial position take priority to maintain.

8.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

8.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

8.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Jayne Ludlam, Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families.

8.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Children, Young People and Family Support.