Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Bryan Allbut and John Thomas.

Councillor Banks – Independent Chair of Orchard and Spring Vale Children's Centre, Evesham

Councillor Duffy – Independent Chair of WANDS Children's Centre, Droitwich

Councillor Oborski – Chair of Wyre Forest Local Children's Trust

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Head of Legal and Democratic Services in writing or by e-mail indicating the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case 14 July 2016).  Enquiries can be made through the telephone number/e-mail address below.

Two people spoke under public participation.

Siani Driver, Worcestershire Mums Network: Siani was the founder of Worcestershire Mums Network which had over 4000 local members.  Members of the groups were 100% opposed to the proposed cuts.  Worcestershire's Early Years' Service had recently received an outstanding Ofsted report so why would the Council want to cut its funding?

She welcomed the meetings that were taking place in individual Children's Centres but questioned whether the final decision would be made by the Cabinet Member or by full Cabinet.  There was a particular concern about services for 0-2 year olds.  These services offered a vital resource for parents, providing social opportunities which were important for parental mental health.

Each health visitor currently had in the region of 400 families on their books and there was concern about the impact of the cuts on health visiting services, as well as midwife and other ante-natal services.

Concern was expressed about how those 'most in need' would be defined and identified, as it was suggested that all new parents needed support.  The only reason behind the changes appeared to be financial.

The report to Cabinet had listed 18 Children's Centres that would be the subject of consultation, but it was not clear what would be happening to the others which were not listed.  The staff in these Centres were also concerned.

Mair Sherliker, Breast Feeding Counsellor, Malvern Hills National Childbirth Trust:

Mair had submitted the following question:

'My colleague, Frances Thurlow, and myself facilitate, on a voluntary basis, a weekly drop-in Breast Feeding Support Group (Baby Latte) at both Evergreen Children's Centre in Malvern and Riverboats Children's Centre in Upton. We clearly may not be able to continue to provide this service to local mothers. Breastfeeding rates in the reach of these 2 Children's Centres have risen markedly.

One of the Government targets is to improve the life-chances and health outcomes of children in the early years. As breastfeeding impacts on these so positively, how does the Council propose ensuring that our services will continue to be available to all mothers?'

In addition, she informed the Panel that every mother that attended her support group was devastated by the proposed changes.

(previously circulated)

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 May 2016 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Cabinet Members with Responsibility for Children and Families, and Health and Well-Being and the Director of Children, Families and Communities and Interim Director of Public Health had been invited to the meeting to discuss the Provision of Effective Prevention Services for Children and Young People Including Optimising the Use of Children's Centres Buildings.

Early years providers and representatives from schools had also been invited to the meeting.

On 16 June 2016, Cabinet had resolved that:

a)         the outcome of the procurement process for the integrated 0-19 prevention service set out in paragraph 3 of the Cabinet report be noted;

b)         the future plans for delivering effective prevention services, within the financial parameters set out in the report (particularly paragraphs 4 to 8 and 35 to 38) and the medium term financial plan be approved, subject to any required consultation as set out in the report;

c)         consultation on change of use for those children's centre buildings where there is likely to be significant change as outlined in paragraph 26 (b) and Appendix 2 with the addition of Brookside at Comberton Primary School – Wyre Forest be authorised;

d)         the proposals for the future use of children centre buildings where consultation is not required as outlined in paragraph 26 (c) and Appendix 2 other than in relation to Brookside at Comberton Primary School – Wyre Forest be approved;

e)         the summary of impact of the proposals for the future use of buildings as outlined in paragraphs 27 to 31 and the need for further equality impact analyses to inform the final decisions in respect of the proposed changes outlined in paragraph 40 be noted;

f)          the final decisions for the use of children's centre buildings, where consultation is required, be delegated to the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families, having regard to the outcomes of those consultations and equality impact analyses; and

g)         the Director of Children, Families and Communities and the Interim Director of Public Health be authorised to take all necessary steps within their respective responsibilities to give effect to the above including varying and/or extending the existing contracts of the district-based early help providers and public health nursing functions, and the Director of Commercial and Change be authorised to agree appropriate terms for the future use of children's centre buildings.

In accordance with the Council's Constitution, parts (c) to (g) were subsequently called-in.  The call-in was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board on 1 July.  The Board had agreed to accept the decisions taken at Cabinet.  The Board did however agree to forward comments to Cabinet including:

·         That the final decision on the use of children's centres buildings, where consultation is required, is made at full Cabinet and not by Cabinet Member Delegation;

·         That the Children and Families O&S Panel should undertake further pre-decision scrutiny prior to the conclusion of the consultation.

By way of introduction, the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families outlined the context of the Cabinet decision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 249.