Contact: Terry Rath, 01962 846457, [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the following recommendations of the Working Party on Environmental Study Centres are agreed:

i) The Management Committees of the two residential study centres, Stubbington and Minstead, raise their charges to meet their running costs.

ii) Minstead Management Committee increases its charges over the next financial year using its reserves to offset the rate of increase and also considers introducing seasonal variations to its charges.

iii) Both centres continue to develop more active promotional and marketing approaches and seek to recruit from a wider catchment area.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all by continuing to provide a residential experience for young people that emphasises positive contribution to their communities.

Maximising well-being for young people that impacts on their self confidence and self worth.

Enhancing our quality of place through teaching young people about their environment and sustainability.

2.2 The decision supports the following Aims of the Children Act:

Being healthy; Staying safe; Enjoying and achieving; Making a positive contribution;

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 The working Party considered evidence from a range of sources before coming to their conclusions in the recommendations.

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

4.1 None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None.

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor David Kirk

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)