Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Children's Services Item

23 March 2006

Littlefold Family Centre, Waterlooville

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

How the conclusion in this report fits with the Corporate Strategy

This scheme will impact on the delivery of all Corporate Aims, focusing most immediately on:

Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities: the proposal to provide a range of inter-agency services from the Family Centre will greatly enhance an area of relative depravation.

Aim 5 - improving services: by combining the services of early education, childcare, family support, outreach and drop-in groups, home start, parenting courses, and children and family health services in one convenient location.

1

Summary

1.1

Littlefold Family Centre is a small local Family Centre located in Wecock, Waterlooville. Proposals have been developed to provide a range of inter-activity services from the existing building, which will provide a dedicated and coordinated children and family service.

1.2

The services will encompass early education, childcare, family support and outreach, young mum's group, drop-ins, Home Start, parenting courses, and children and family health services, which are consistent with the aims of the Children's Services strategy.

1.3

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the internal modifications and the purpose of this report is to outline the proposals and seek approval to these improvements.

2

Scope of the Works

2.1

The works will comprise internal adaptations and alterations to the ground floor of the existing building, to provide suitable accommodation and facilities required to meet the needs of the user groups.

2.2

It is proposed to provide a new main entrance with lobby and pushchair store to the south elevation of the existing building. This will lead to a newly created reception area with adjoining administration office. Adjacent to this area a Community Room with adjoining accessible toilet and baby changing room will be created. A new conference room with adjoining training room will be formed.

2.3

A new parent's room with adjoining kitchenette will be formed along with a large crèche area with adjoining kitchenette and baby changing room. Security doors will lead from this area to a newly created external hard play area with security fencing and emergency exit gate.

2.4

Externally it is proposed to improve the approach to the building by creating a new lockable gate at the road / site entrance point along with a new pathway leading to the new main entrance of the building. The frontage to the building will be improved with landscaping and low level planting.

3

Planning

3.1

As the nature of the work is mainly internal modifications and refurbishment, a formal planning application will not be required as these works are deemed to be permitted development.

4

Funding and Timing

4.1

Funding of £245,000, excluding fees, will come from the Children's Services Capital Programme 2005/06 - Sure Start Capital, subject to the approval from the Executive Member for Children's Services (please see Children's Services Capital Programme report elsewhere on the agenda for details).

4.2

Subject to the necessary approvals, it is anticipated that work to start on site during April 2006, and to be completed during August 2006.

5

Consultation with Local Member

5.1

Councillor, Ian Beagley the local Member for this area, has been consulted on this scheme and commented as follows:

"I am very pleased to support the proposal for the Littlefold Family Centre in Cowplain."

Conclusion

The scheme will provide coordinated early education, childcare, family and health services in one convenient location.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Children's Services approves the report for the Littlefold Family Centre scheme, at an estimated cost of £245,000, excluding fees.