Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Report author: Director of Children's Services

Publication date: 16/09/2014

Date of decision: 11/09/2014

Decided at meeting: 11/09/2014 - Cabinet

Effective from: 24/09/2014

This decision has been called in by:

• Councillor Paul Hayes who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored. "
• Councillor Jeff Green who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored. "
• Councillor Geoffrey Watt who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored. "
• Councillor Leah Fraser who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored. "
• Councillor John Hale who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored."
• Councillor Gerry Ellis who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored."
• Councillor Lesley Rennie who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored."
• Councillor Tom Anderson who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored. ""
• Councillor Steve Williams who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored "
• Councillor Bruce Berry who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored. " "
• Councillor Adam Sykes who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored."
• Councillor Eddie Boult who writes We are concerned that such a huge reduction in service provision will have a real and adverse impact on those communities who have come to rely upon the valuable services offered through our Children’s Centres. A decision so crucial to the Council’s provision of Early years services should be subject to further member scrutiny. Mindful of the deficiencies with the consultation on the closure of the Lyndale School, we require further details as to how future consultations to ‘progress’ the recommendations will take place and its format. We are concerned that the Leader of the Council is reported to have said that buildings will be retained in order that services could be 'built back up in the event of a change of government.' Is the mothballing of buildings in the hope of a change in government conducive to a well thought through Early Years policy? Is the Leader confident a different government would allow for the ’building up’ of these services and what is the evidence of this? These are questions which should be further explored."

Accompanying Documents:

• Early Years and Children's Centres - REVISED Report
• Early Years and Children's Centres - REVISED Appendix