Archived decisions

Decision Maker:

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)

Date of Decision:

16 October 2008

Decision Title:

Sure Start Children's Centres - Phase 3 Strategy

Decision Reference:

318

Report From:

Director of Children's Services

Contact name:

Colin Payne

Tel:

01962 845700

Email:

[email protected]

1) Summary

The following decisions are sought:

1.1. That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (education) noted the findings of the phase 3 consultation summary paper and approval was granted:

a) for the development of 25 phase 3 Sure Start Children's Centres and their associated NCAs;

b) on the proposed delivery strategy for implementing phase 3 children's centres within Hampshire;

c) for Children's Centre Services (CCS) co-ordinating an open tender process to identify organisations to manage phase 3 children's centres through a service contract; and

d) to devolved responsibility to the chair of the Children's Centres Project Board, the Deputy Director of Children's Services - Education and Inclusion, for decisions regarding the specific siting of children's centre `gateway' buildings.

2) Reasons for the decision

These are the reasons for this decision being made, including any links to the corporate strategy:

2.1. To establish a strategy for implementing phase 3 of the children's centre programme within Hampshire.

2.2. To agree the number of children's centres to be completed and the areas they will serve, within phase 3 in line with Government targets.

2.3. To set in place protocols for devolved decision making around capital sites within the programme outside of the Executive Member decision process, in order to meet timescales associated with phase 3.

2.4. To provide the final stage of the key delivery mechanism for achieving the aims of the Childrens Plan for children under five and their families within Hampshire, as well as contributing towards all three of the corporate aims.

2.5. To take into account views and feedback gathered through the three month consultation programme.

3) Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. Option 1: Not to consult on strategy and to carry out desktop exercise only.

a) Risk Assessment:

_ Political - High: The County Council will not meet targets as a requirement under designation criteria to consult with communities.

_ Financial - High: Loss of children's centre funding due to not meeting targets.

_ Political - Medium/High: Potential negative publicity from lack of involvement of local communities and councillors.

4) Conflicts of Interest:

4.1. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker:

None

4.2. Conflicts of interest declared by other Executive Members consulted:

None

5) Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee:

None

6) Any reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent :

None

7) Statement from the Decision Maker:

Approved by:

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Date:

16 October 2008

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)

Councillor Kirk