Issue - meetings

To consider a report from the Corporate Director, People, and Director of Children’s Services.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Military-Civilian Integration, Heritage, Arts, Tourism, Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, Cllr Nick Botterill Cabinet Member for Finance, Development Management and Strategic Planning presented the report seeking agreement that the Plan should be submitted to the Department for Education to form the basis of a Safety Valve Deal for Wiltshire.

Resolved:

That Cabinet approves:

1. Submission of the draft Safety Valve Plan to the Department for Education on 15th December 2023.

2. Submission of a capital bid for additional High Needs Places Capital Allocation (HNPCA) grant as part of the Safety Valve plan in line with DfE guidance.

3. Proposed addition of £10m to the capital programme in lieu of any further HNPCA grant in 2024/25.

4. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director for People, in consultation with:

·       Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills

·       Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, SEND and Inclusion

·       Cabinet Member for Finance, Development Management and Strategic Planning

·       Chief Executive

·       Director of Finance & Procurement to undertake such amendments as negotiated with the Department for Education.

5. Submission of a final Safety Valve Plan to the Department for Education on 12th January 2024, subject to approval from the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, and the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, SEND and Inclusion.

6. A written update paper for the Cabinet meeting on 16th January 2024 that set out changes made to finalise the Safety Valve plan.

Reason for Decision:

This proposal will allow the submission of the draft plan to government which can then be negotiated and submitted in its final form. Work can begin on delivering the DSG management plan so that SEND services can be improved and made sustainable.