Contact: Tracey Sanders/Catriona Cleugh Ext: 3877

email: [email protected]/[email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

To approve the level of grant allocations for 2006-2007 to voluntary organisations, to support the work of the Early Education and Childcare Unit as set out in the Sure Start Strategic Plan for 2006-2008

2 Reason

2.1 To support the work of the Early Education and Childcare Unit, through a variety of commissioned services, all with grant agreements.

2.2 This work links to the following corporate aims:

· Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities for young children and their families

· Aim 2 - achieving economic prosperity by providing early education, childcare and playwork career and training opportunities for local communities, while supporting the development of new, small businesses offering early education and childcare

· Aim 3 - building strong and safe communities through the early preventative work, which takes place with children and young people in early education and out of school childcare settings

· Aim 4 - improving services, particularly the development of integrated services for young children and their families

· Aim 5 - developing councillors and staff through the many opportunities to be involved with training, networking and planning provided by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and the Early Education and Childcare Unit.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

None.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

None.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

None.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor Felicity Hindson

Executive Member for Children's Services