Issue - meetings

Report by the Director of Children’s Services

36.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services, together with comments of Councillor Philip Daniel, the Local Member.

DECISIONS

36.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) declare the Ringmer Children’s Centre building surplus to the County Council’s operational requirements;

(2) delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to enter into discussions on operational and service management arrangement with one or more public sector lead partners;

(3) delegate final terms to the Chief Operating Officer acting with the Director of Children’s Services;

(4) subject to the above, seek de-designation of the Centre by written submission to the Department for Education; and

(5) delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to secure best value terms for disposal or lease in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972. 

Reasons

36.3     The revised Early Help Strategy reduced the number of centres that the Service required to deliver the service going forward, as agreed by the Lead Member for Children and Families on 7 October 2019.  The proposal has the potential of securing the continuation of the service whilst removing an ongoing duty on the County Council.

36.4     The steps outlined at Minute 36.2 provide assurance of the continuation of services, and address the role of the Director of Children’s Services and the risk of clawback of funds originally provided under the Sure Start programme.  

Report by the Director of Children’s Services

31.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services, together with exempt information contained in a later agenda item.

DECISIONS

31.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) enter a Deed of Variation of the existing 125 year school lease with Rye Academy Aquinas Trust to incorporate the Children’s Centre building under the same terms as the rest of the site; and

(2) delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to conclude terms in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972. 

Reasons

31.3     Aquinas Trust have expressed interest in taking on the management of the Children’s Centre building with a plan to augment their early years offer.  The proposal has the potential of securing the continuation of the service while removing an ongoing duty on the County Council.

Report by the Director of Children’s Services

30.1     The Lead Member considered a request to defer consideration of the report, in the light of correspondence received from Lewes District Council and Ringmer Parish Council. 

DECISIONS

30.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to defer consideration of the matter until the Lead Member meeting scheduled to be held on 3 March 2020.

Report by the Director of Children’s Services

29.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services, together with exempt information contained in a later agenda item.

DECISIONS

29.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) enter into a  Deed of Variation of the existing 125 year school lease with Beacon Academy to incorporate the Children’s Centre building under the same terms as the rest of the site; and.

(2) Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to conclude terms in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Reasons

29.3     Beacon Academy have agreed in principle to take on management of the building and to become the landlords to Tiddlers Nursery.  Tiddlers nursery remaining on site should be strong evidence to the Department for Education that the continued early years offer is reasonable.  This proposal has the potential of securing the continuation of the service whilst removing an ongoing duty on the County Council.

Report by the Director of Children’s Services

33.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services.

DECISION

33.2     RESOLVED to note the information.

Reasons

33.3     The information supported earlier agenda items.