Minutes:
Councillor Gill Campbell, Cabinet Member (Children and Young People) and Ian Chambers, Assistant Director of Learning, gave a presentation on the proposed new delivery model for Children Centres in Bury.
The meeting was informed of the key objectives for Bury Children Centres:-
1. To improve health for under 5’s – measured by higher rates of breast feeding, reduced obesity and improved dental hygiene.
2. To improve child development – measured by improved school readiness and an increasing proportion of children achieving a good level of development.
3. Reducing the risk of mistreatment or abuse of under 5’s – measured by reductions in the rate of family needs escalating to a level requiring family intervention.
4. Improving families’ economic prospects measured by reduced numbers of under 5’s in households on benefits.
It was reported that these objectives will be used to drive resource allocation to specific centre activities. The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) rankings will be used to directly allocate overall resources – funding being directly linked to deprivation. The driver will be the number of children within a reach area for a Children Centre who are under 5 and living in a Lower Super Output Area. These are among the 40% most deprived nationally.
The presentation provided detailed information of the targeted support on offer as part of the objectives in relation to health, school readiness, Early Help and job readiness. Specific detail was also provided in relation to the proposed Children Centre Hubs across Bury. The meeting was informed as to how each Hub would work, the staffing changes involved, outreach deployment and of the necessary steps required in order to convert the other sites in order to deliver the 2 year old offer in Bury. It was reported that from September 2014, 40% of 2 year olds should have access to free nursery places (a total of 1177 children in Bury). There was a current forecast of a shortage of 638 places (October 2014). The Council propose that Children Centres which are no longer required as Hubs will be offered as centres for the 2 year old offer.
In relation to service costs it was reported that total expenditure on Children’s Centres in 2013/14 was £2.875m. The Council had seen a reduction of the Government’s Early Intervention Grant of over £2.8m since 2012/13 and that the new proposed model of delivery will cost £1.949m which will deliver a proposed savings target for the service of £820k. The consultation period had been extended to 15 December, 2014 and following an analysis of feedback received and subsequent consideration by Cabinet, implementation of the proposals would begin from 1 April, 2015.
The Chair invited questions and comments from those present at the meeting and the following issues were raised:
· Mrs Marshall stated that she supported the outreach work in the proposal to help those in most need in the community that may not have the confidence to attend at a centre. She also recognised the value of Children’s Centres because they provide a place for children to socialise and develop their skills but also a place for parents to meet and talk to other parents. – The Council values the responses given. The services will still be available to help parents as well as stay and play for children. Details of activities and local venues will also be circulated.
It was agreed:
That the presentation and information provided be noted and Cllr Campbell and Ian Chambers be thanked for their contribution to the