Issue - decisions

The amendment in the name of Councillor David Longstaff was put to the vote.

Votes were recorded as follows:

The amendment in the name of Councillor David Longstaff was declared CARRIED.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Pauline Coakley-Webb was put to the vote.

Votes were recorded as follows:

The amendment in the name of Councillor Pauline Coakley-Webb was declared LOST.

The substantive motion as amended by Councillor David Longstaff was put to the vote.

Votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that:

Council notes that the council subsidised nurseries have recently raised the issue of budget challenges and further notes the nurseries in question are not in any position to close themselves. Any closure would be a decision of the Council, after consultation, and require the agreement of the Chairman of the Children, Education & Safeguarding Committee. The council has no plans to close any of the four nurseries.

Council notes that representatives from the nurseries have already met, in September 2019, with the Leader of the Council, Councillor Thomas, Executive Director of Children's Services, Chris Munday and Service Director of Education and Skills, Ian Harrison, to discuss financial issues. As with any school facing a deficit, the council will work with the school to balance the budget.

Council notes that at the last Children, Education & Safeguarding Committee meeting, through a Members Item brought by Councillor Clarke, it was agreed to incorporate nurseries' financing into the Annual School Funding report. The next report will be received at the January 2020 Children, Education & Safeguarding Committee meeting.