Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services concerning the context in which the policy proposals for Children’s Centre Services should be considered and puts forward options for Members to consider and to approve a preferred option for further development.

Members were provided with an introduction to the report by the Director for Education, outlining three options for the future of children's centre services and nought to two childcare arrangements. Members were provided with a brief outline of the options noting the following:

• Option 1 involves using the existing budget to deliver children's centre services across various venues in the City, retaining the City Childcare Accessibility scheme for eligible residents, and planning for family hub start-for-life services.

• Option 2 proposes using the existing budget to deliver children's centre services and subsidise The Aldgate School to deliver nought to two childcare, retaining the City Childcare Accessibility scheme but with no remaining funding for family hub start-for-life services.
• Option 3 suggests using the existing budget to deliver children's centre services and subsidise childcare for eligible city residents to use at providers of their choice, reducing but not necessarily removing funding for family hub start-for-life services.

Several members expressed strong support for Option 2, emphasising the importance of maintaining the current provision at The Aldgate School, which is highly valued by parents and the community. Concerns were raised about the potential disruption to The Aldgate School and the impact on families if the current provision is altered. Some Members contemplated a more equitable distribution of services across the City, suggesting that Options 1 or 3 would benefit a broader range of families. Discussion was also raised about the number of children currently using the nought to two childcare provisions at The Aldgate School, with clarification provided that the service was fully subscribed and serves a significant number of City residents.

NB: At this point during the meeting Members unanimously agreed to suspend the meeting for a period of five minutes to resolve technical issues.

After reconvening, Members noted that a non-public appendix was affixed to the report presented, and it was deemed inappropriate to make a decision without first considering this appendix. Therefore, Members unanimously agreed to exclude the public before making a decision, which would then be presented back in the public domain.

NB: Members unanimously agreed that:

-         under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act and;

-         after formal discussion on the non-public appendix to the report, that the public be re-admitted to conclude the formal public business on the agenda.

After reconvening, the Chairman thanked members of the public in the room and those online for their patience. It was noted that following discussion on the non-public appendix affixed to the report, an amendment had been discussed and would be put to the Committee.

Moved by Alderman Goyal. Seconded by Common Councillor Corbett, and Resolved: That Members, Support option 2 academic year which ends in August 2026 for one year and Members agree to consult on future strategic and policy direction exploring alternative models. Members unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED – That Members, Support option 2 academic year which ends in August 2026 for one year and Members agree to consult on future strategic and policy direction exploring alternative models.