Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – The Children’s Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee agreed to make minor amendments to item 8 and 9 of the draft minutes prior to their approval.

Apologies of absence was received from co-opted member Darren Warrington.

Councillor Rebecca Challice declared a non-pecuniary interest noting that she is a trustee of Barnet carer’s centre.

Councillor Anne Hutton declared a non-pecuniary interest noting that she is a Member of the National Union of teachers and also a Member of the Friern Barnet Library.

Councillor Reuben Thompstone declared a non-pecuniary interest noting that he is a Member of the Golders Green library.

Councillor Amar Naqvi declared a non-pecuniary interest as he is a member of a University and Colleague union.

None

Details are appended of the Public Questions including the answers given by the Chairman. Verbal responses were given to the supplementary questions at the meeting.

A Public Comment was received by Nikki Roberts who spoke in relation to item 10, Nursery Schools Review. 

None

The Strategic Director for Communities introduced the report and updated the Committee regarding the Commissioning intentions and budget proposals which are in line with the Committee’s terms of reference for 2014/15 while noting appendix B of the report.

 Following the consideration of the report the Committee:

Resolved:

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee approve the Commissioning Plan (as set out at Appendix A) subject to consultation.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee agree the public consultation on the Commissioning Plan commencing immediately following Policy and Resources Committee on 2nd December 2014, before final Commissioning Plans are agreed by Policy and Resources Committee on 17 February 2015.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee note the need to develop performance targets for the proposed outcome measures and delegates approval of the final performance measures and targets to the Strategic Director for Communities, in consultation with the Chairman of the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee.

The vote were recorded as follows: 

Councillor Reuben Thompstone introduced the report.  He highlighted the report’s recommendations which the committee were requested to consider while noting the options at set out in the report and consultation which officers would undertake. 

During the consideration of the item Councillor Helena Hart moved that recommendation 2 be amended to read:

That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee agree that the three options as set out in section 1.23 below or a combination of the three should be the preferred options for the library service and approve the commencement of consultation on these options in accordance with the consultation plan as set out in section 4.2 of this report.

Having been put to the vote the Committee voted as follows: 

The motion was therefore carried.

Following discussion Councillor Anne Hutton requested that the report be referred to Council. The referral was supported by:

Councillor Rebecca Challice

Councillor Ammar Naqvi

Councillor Agnes Slocombe

RESOLVED – That the item be referred to Full Council.

The Family and Community Well-being Lead Commissioner introduced the report and captured the intentions of the early years model. 

Following the consideration of the report the Committee:

RESOLVED

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee note the early years review full business case and approve the following:

·           That a locality model of delivery for children’s centres with three Ofsted registered clusters of children’s centres is implemented.

·      That all children’s centres are to be managed by the local authority. Where it is appropriate, and in agreement with a school, the council’s preferred option is for schools to continue to deliver childcare when located on school sites.

·      To continue to improve joint working between health visitors and local authority early years services through joint commissioning arrangements with NHS England. To bring a recommendation to the Committee to establish a fuller form of integration by October 2015.

·      To reduce the opening hours at Stonegrove, St Margaret’s and Hampden Way children’s centres but maintain sessional service delivery in each of the local areas.

·      That officers develop a full options appraisal of alternative deliver models for the early years services and bring a recommendation, following significant staff engagement, to the Committee in October 2015. 

·                That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee note the update on the recommendations of the Early Years Task and Finish Group.

 The votes are recorded as follows: 

The Strategic Director for Communities provided a statement which addressed the importance of providing the best start possible for every child in Barnet.  The Committee was reminded of the economic challenges the Borough face which are reflected within the report.  The Committee noted the consultation which had taken place and the continued dialogue with schools.  

Councillor Brian Salinger had requested to address the Committee on this item and spoke in objection to the report.

Following discussion Councillor Rebecca Challice moved that the report be referred to Council. The referral was supported by:

Councillor Anne Hutton

Councillor Ammar Naqvi

Councillor Agnes Slocombe

RESOLVED – That the item be referred to Full Council.

The committee considered the report. 

RESOLVED –

That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee note the items included in the 2014/15 work programme.

There were no urgent items.