Agenda item

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People which identified the availability of Phase 3 capital funding for children’s centres and proposed deployment of this resource to maximise access to children’s centre services.

            It was reported that since April 2006, local authorities have had strategic responsibility for delivering children’s centres, to reflect the mainstreaming of children’s centres as a universal, national programme. Children’s centre services were planned and delivered in partnership with the NHS, Jobcentre Plus and a wide range of voluntary, private and community organisations based on local need.

Members were advised that children’s centres were not currently recognised in legislation, although the integrated services which they offered to children and families had a statutory basis in the local authority duties under the Childcare Act 2006 to provide integrated early childhood services. However, it was noted that the Government’s current proposals contained within The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill, to establish children’s centres as a recognised part of children’s services infrastructure  that had direct bearing on the future developments of the centres.         

It was further advised that the proposed legislation would mean that in future, whether or not an establishment was described as a children’s centre would be a matter of law.  It was reported that the Government proposed to use the Act to establish that all children’s centres in existence at the date of the Royal Assent were captured as children’s centres for the purpose of the statutory requirements.

It was reported that Local Authorities, working with their statutory partners, would be required to assess the need for children’s centres in their area, and to establish and maintain sufficient children’s centres to meet that need. The purpose of the proposed legislation was to provide children’s centres with a statutory footing, so that their provision was not seen as the outcome of time-limited funding regime, but became a long term statutory commitment and part of the established landscape of early years provision.

The Board was advised that the intention was to reflect in the legislation and associated statutory guidance practice in localities which was outlined in the report for information.

It was further noted that under phase 1 and 2 of the programme, twelve children’s centres had been established in Halton.   Each children’s centre was intended to serve a “reach” of between 800 and 1200 children under 5 years within the locality. All twelve centres had been formally designated as children’s centres by Government.

The Board was informed that Government required Phase 3 children’s centres (2008-11) to be situated outside the most disadvantaged areas and would therefore offer a less intensive level of support than those phase 1 and 2 centres serving families in the 30% most disadvantaged areas.

It was reported that Phase 3 was supported by capital funding of £521,866.  It was proposed that this funding is used to enhance the facilities at existing children’s centres which were outlined in the report for Members consideration.

REASON FOR DECISION

The Local Authority had been notified that it would receive capital  funding to develop two further children’s centres in the Borough.  Subsequent advice received has indicated that the capital provision could be used to enhance existing stock if locally it is determined that further centres are not required.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

Consideration was given to developing further children’s centres, however, following analysis of reach figures it was recognised that further centres were not necessary.

IMPLEMENTATION DATE

This should be confirmed immediately with Together for Children.  Work can then progress on developing the existing provisions at Windmill Hill Children’s Centre and Upton All Saints Children’s Centre and Primary School.          

            RESOLVED: That

1)     The Executive Board recommend the Council to approve the recommendation that the Phase 3 capital funding be made available to Halton for the enhancement and maintenance of current children centre stock; and

2)     The Executive Board note the positive developments at Windmill Hill Children’s Centre and Primary School and approve a lease for up to 5 years to the Primary Care Trust to establish a temporary health facility on the school site.