Decision details

Cabinet received a report which brought a revised set of proposals, for Cabinet’s approval, on how children’s centres services would be run in future. The report:

·           Updated and informed Cabinet on the outcomes of the consultation on proposed changes to the way early years services were run in Peterborough including children’s centres;

·          Sought Cabinet’s approval on the creation of four children’s centre hubs that would be located in the City’s highest areas of deprivation and would work with families in the greatest need across the city;

·         Sought Cabinet’s approval for the creation of three ‘outreach’ centres that would support the work of the children’s centre hubs;

·         Asked Cabinet to approve a reduction in the original savings proposed from £1.28 million to £1.18 million to enable £100,000 to be spent on developing alternative ways to support families such as; helping to set up parent support groups, maintaining a weekly facilitated parent and baby session in communities and providing support to mothers around post natal depression, where it was identified that centres will be re-designated.

Cabinet considered the report and recommendations and RESOLVED that:

1(a) The modified proposals for the delivery of the Children's Centres as set out in the report be approved; and

1(b) The budget to be recommended to Council for the 2014/15 financial year be amended accordingly to reflect the savings arising from the redesigned children's centres.

2.      Subject to Council approving the Budget, inclusive of the recommended budget in relation to the future delivery of the Children's Centres, the Director for Communities be authorised to:

(a)   create four children’s centre hubs, three outreach hubs and re-designation of the other eight children’s centres as set out in the report;

(b)   vary or terminate the contracts with Barnardo’s and Spurgeons to deliver the redesigned centres; and

(c)   develop alternative ways to support families in areas where children’s centres are proposed to be de-designated.

The proposals for children’s centres would ensure that services were maintained for vulnerable families and communities and identified savings were mainly achieved. It would also ensure in addition, the re-designated children’s centres would provide a much needed increase in premises for childcare as well as maintaining health services and still offering parents access to some support services.

Given the reduction in the city council’s central government funding, doing nothing was not an option. Given the other funded services for the under fives, e.g. free childcare, it was considered that a reduction in children’s centre costs was appropriate. However, parents had been listened to and it was recommended to reduce the original recommendations by the sum of £100k to enable parental requests for support to be responded to.

None.

Appendices to the Cabinet report.

Appendix 1    Community responses to the consultation

Appendix 2    Questionnaire responses

Appendix 3    Schools’ data and demographics

Appendix 4    Organisations consulted

Appendix 5    Calculation of savings required

Appendix 6    Plans for de-designated children’s centres

Appendix 7    Equality Impact Assessment

Appendix 8    New transport routes and access to proposed Hubs

Appendix 9    Letter from Elizabeth Truss MP