Issue - meetings

The Children’s Centres Consultation rapid scrutiny exercise was established by this committee on 5th March 2019 and held on 15th April 2019 with the task of considering the results of the consultation, the proposed closures and the plans for alternative venues.

Following their meeting the rapid scrutiny exercise submitted their report for consideration at the 30^th April 2019 Cabinet meeting, where they considered the report as part of the overall Children’s Centres Buildings Consultation item.

The report by Cllr Trevor Carbin, Lead Member for the Rapid Scrutiny Exercise is attached. The committee are asked to receive the report for information and receive any updates which may be available on their recommendations from the Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills.

Cllr Trevor Carbin presented a report on the Children’s Centres Consultation rapid scrutiny exercise which was tasked with considering the results of the consultation, the proposed closures and the plans for alternative venues.

Matters raised during the discussion included: The Council’s proposals for moving children’s centre services from buildings to community settings; the consultation process, results and reach and possible alternative venues.

In response to a question from the committee it was noted that Wiltshire Council had increased its children’s centre services in people’s homes. It is continuing to reach vulnerable people and building its knowledge of local community needs.

It was noted that that the Commissioning Team monitors data on a quarterly basis and that it would be helpful for some of this data to be fed back to the Committee.

In response to an issue raised by the committee it was noted that Wiltshire Council had been largely successful in finding alternative venues and that the more pressing issue continued to be people not showing up to use the service once these venues had been confirmed.

Resolved

1.    To formally note and endorse the report and recommendations of the Children’s Centre Consultation Rapid Scrutiny Exercise for response at the next meeting of the Children’s Select Committee.

2.    To receive a copy of the monitoring framework by autumn 2019 if it is not available by the next meeting of the Children’s Select Committee.