Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meetings held on 2^nd December, 2009 and on 8^th December, 2009, be approved as correct records.

Mary Smith, report author

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Early Years and Childcare Strategy Manager, stating that a review had been undertaken of the Children’s Centre programme, which had highlighted a number of Centres with small reach areas based on servicing very particular communities. The review had been undertaken in the context of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009, which had received Royal Assent on 12^th November, 2009.

The report described a proposal to merge the Thrybergh Rainbow Children’s Centre and the Dalton Willow Tree Children’s Centre to form one main Children’s Centre with a satellite base. Thrybergh was proposed as the main Centre, with Dalton as a satellite. The proposal would reduce the total number of designated Children’s Centres in Rotherham from 23 to 22. The proposals would help to ensure the longer term financial sustainability of Children’s Centre provision across the Borough.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the Thrybergh Rainbow Children’s Centre shall merge with the Dalton Willow Tree Children’s Centre.

(3) That the Thrybergh Rainbow Children’s Centre shall be established as the main centre for that area, with the Dalton Willow Tree Centre continuing as a satellite base.

Further to Minute No. 159 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services held on 8^th April, 2009, consideration was given to a report presented by the Director of Resources, Planning and Performance and by the Policy, Planning and Research Manager, summarising progress against the commitments within the Children and Young People’s Plan 2007-2010. It was noted that quarterly progress reports are collated for each commitment outlined in the Children and Young People’s Plan 2007-2010. The previous progress reports (October 2008 and April 2009) showed that significant progress had been achieved across the Children and Young People’s Service and with the Authority’s partners in relation to the commitments agreed within the Children and Young People’s Plan. The latest update (October 2009, covering the period April to September, 2009) shows that this progress is continuing.

Members discussed the progress of the Children and Young People’s Plan commitments, which were reported using Red, Amber, Green notation to indicate the status of individual commitments. It was noted that consultation was currently taking place in preparation for the publication of a new Children and Young People’s Plan during the Summer, 2010.

Resolved:- That the report be received and its contents noted.

Julie Westwood, report author

Further to Minute No. D78 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services held on 18th November, 2009, consideration was given to a report presented by the Director of Resources, Planning and Performance concerning the Children and Young People’s Services’ Improvement Plan summary.  Members noted that detailed regular monitoring takes place against a number of actions across several themes. There was also reference to the role of the Improvement Panel, chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive. 

Members also considered the highlight report for November, 2009.  This report detailed the items achieved during that month and the items planned for the period December and January. Risks and Issues of concerns were also illustrated.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the progress being made with the Children and Young People’s Services’ Improvement Plan, as now reported, be noted.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to an individual)

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to an individual).

Zoe Burke, report author

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Complaints Manager outlining the findings and decisions of the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) on a complaint made by Mrs S. The report included details of the way in which the complaint had been progressed through the Children and Young People’s Services’ Directorate.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the findings and decisions of the Local Government Ombudsman, as contained in the report now submitted, be accepted.