Agenda item

Presented by: Deborah Duffell, Head of Wellbeing, Prevention and Early Help

Bob Stott, Director for Education, Schools and Care, presented to the Committee the current patterns and future proposals of service delivery in Lancashire which constitutes the children's centre offer.

Committee members were advised that the designated children's centres proposal formed part of a wider Property Strategy consultation which was due to end on the 14^th August 2016, with final proposals to Cabinet for approval on the 8 September 2016.

Information detailing the percentage changes in access from the current provision to the proposed delivery sites was highlighted to the Committee which indicated a drop of 4% in access for 0-4 year olds in the most deprived areas and 17% in the less deprived areas (LDAs).  It was confirmed that the rationale behind the drop in access in the LDAs was that there would potentially be better access to transport.

Members of the Committee were invited to comment and raise questions and a summary of the discussion is set out below:

·  It was confirmed that consultation was taking place with health around the wellbeing agenda. 

·  A question was raised in relation to the implications for those families in the most deprived areas and whether the percentage reduction in access was evenly spread.  It was confirmed that further information would be made available.

·  A request was made for further detailed information at a district level around the geographical locations and distances to the proposed delivery sites, particularly in areas of rurality and where there were pockets of most deprived areas within LDAs.

·  Members felt that the timescales from the end of the consultation to final approval was limited and requested assurance that enough time and consideration would be given to responses. 

·  Members were assured that close links have been made with teams across children's services to identify any potential impact from these proposals.

·  An issue was raised in relation to consideration given to the reduction in bus routes which may impact on families being able to access children's centres and it was suggested that the Bus Services Working Group be asked to specifically respond to the consultation regarding the impact on travel to children's centres.

·  It was felt that further information was required around the relocation of services particularly on any changes to the current service offer.  In addition, members queried the rationale around the suitability of buildings for the co-location of services (for 0-25 year olds).  Members were advised that the team were looking hard at access and suitability depending on services to be delivered. 

·  Concerns were raised from members about the transitional period and further information was requested around this area of work.

County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools was then welcomed to the Committee.  Members were advised that although assurances could not be given on service level at this time, the youth provision would not cease and early help remained key to supporting the demand on children's social care services.

Resolved: That

  i.  The report be noted.

  ii.  The Committee's concerns and comments be noted.

  iii.  A formal response from the Committee to the proposals be submitted.

  iv.  A breakdown by district on the access to the proposed sites for the most deprived areas be requested.

  v.  Assurance that sufficient time and consideration be given to the volume of responses received and to allow for any further changes to the proposals.

  vi.  Assurance that links would be made in relation to the reduction in bus services and the impact for the proposed sites.

  vii.  A request be submitted from the Committee to the Bus Services Working Group to request a response to the consultation and to indicate if there is possible overlap in changes to both the children's centre location and bus service reduction.

viii.  A report to come back to the November meeting of the Committee after the conclusion of the consultation around the proposed service offer including further detail on the risks outlined in the report, how the transitional period would be managed, and the impact on the rural and most deprived communities.