Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services.

Recommendations:

1.    That Cabinet note the report and update regarding the development of the SEND Hub.

2.    That Cabinet authorise a lease, on a peppercorn rent, therefore on a less than best consideration as defined within the Local Government Act 2000 and the General Disposal Consent (England) 2003 with Rotherham Parent Carer Forum.

3.    That Cabinet authorise the Assistant Director of Property and Facilities Services, in consultation with the Assistant Director of Commissioning & Performance and the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services to develop a Management Agreement with the Rotherham Parent Carer Forum, in relation to the service provision, management of the asset and associated output and outcomes.

Consideration was given to the report which provided an update on the development of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) activity Hub in the Eric Manns building in Rotherham Town Centre, in partnership with The Rotherham Parent Carer Forum (RPCF.)

This was a positive opportunity to provide a SEND Activity Hub in the Town Centre that would allow the Council to improve its offer of recreational activities for children and young people with SEND.

Young people up to the age of 25 would benefit from improved support in their transition to adulthood. This would include, but not be limited to, supporting digital inclusion, claiming disability related benefits, wellbeing, social skills and signposting and advice on housing. Rotherham Council Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS) would continue to be able to use the building as a touch down facility in the Town Centre and would be able to use rooms to carry out direct work with children and young people as needed, developing the offer and partnership alongside the Rotherham Parent Carer Forum.

On 28 February 2024, Council approved the proposed £165,000 capital investment for the development of a SEND Hub at the Eric Manns building as part of budget setting. The current occupants of the building were relocating across the borough and the building was due to be vacant by 19 October 2024. Paragraph 1.3 of the report set out how the capital investment would be spent.

No revenue expenditure or income was associated with the capital investment

proposal. The ongoing running costs of the building would be met by RPCF e.g. utilities bills and equipment repair and maintenance. The building would remain the property of RMBC. In order to ensure the building retained its value as a RMBC asset, repair and maintenance of the building would be met by RMBC.

It was recommended  that the grant of the lease to RPCF be at less than best consideration (peppercorn rent) based on the delivery of local social economic and environmental wellbeing powers as introduced by the Local Government. This would support both the Council and the RPCF to deliver their objectives by providing a safe disability friendly space in the Town Centre.

The Council would work with the RPCF to develop a Management Agreement that would set out the outputs and requirements expected from all parties. The Agreement would be monitored to ensure delivery and compliance throughout the term of the Partnership and Lease agreement.

Cabinet Members expressed their support for the recommendations. Following a question regarding the SEND Hub potentially linking up with Grimm & Co who occupied the premises next door to the Eric Manns building, it was confirmed that whilst there were no formal arrangements in place, there was already joined up working between the two organisations, especially around Social, Emotion and Mental Health Needs. It was anticipated that this relationship would strengthen with the opening of the SEND Hub.

Resolved:

1.    That Cabinet note the report and update regarding the development of the SEND Hub.

2.    That Cabinet authorise a lease, on a peppercorn rent, therefore on a less than best consideration as defined within the Local Government Act 2000 and the General Disposal Consent (England) 2003 with Rotherham Parent Carer Forum.

3.    That Cabinet authorise the Assistant Director of Property and Facilities Services, in consultation with the Assistant Director of Commissioning & Performance and the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services to develop a Management Agreement with the Rotherham Parent Carer Forum, in relation to the service provision, management of the asset and associated output and outcomes.