Council and councillors

Report No. 114/2017 from the Director for People was received.

Mrs G Curtis, Head of Learning and Skills, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to identify the progress made in addressing the priorities for Rutland identified through the 2016 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and the activities to be completed within the timespan of Plan.

During discussion the following points were raised:

i)     Work was being completed in the area of out of school and holiday childcare provision in order to identify and promote all Rutland providers, there had been some delay caused by changes in teams and staffing and allocation of areas of responsibility.  This piece of work had now been allocated in the Learning and Skills Team;

ii)    The Child Sufficiency Survey this year had also identified some concerns raised by parents regarding availability of pre-school and early evening provision;

iii)   Mr Hemsley highlighted that it was important to understand the type and timing of childcare that is required in order to accommodate a variety of needs;

iv)   Mrs Curtis agreed that once there was a clear picture of what was currently on offer, it was important to work with providers, parents and businesses to ensure services were suitable, with proper checks in place and delivered in line with requirements;

v)    Mr Wilby was keen that the impact of the extended 30 hour provision on providers was monitored to ensure that they were able to remain viable; and

vi)   The 2017 Annual Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Report would come to Cabinet in October and include findings from the review of out of school and holiday provision.

DECISION

1.    Cabinet NOTED the priorities for childcare sufficiency in Rutland as identified in the Childcare Sufficiency Action Plan (Appendix A to Report No. 114/2017).

2.    Cabinet NOTED the progress made in addressing the priorities, the actions taken to date and actions still to be completed.

Reasons for Decision

1.    Rutland County Council had a statutory duty under the Childcare Act 2006 to secure ‘as far as is reasonably practicable’, sufficient childcare to meet the requirements of working parents/carers, or parents/carers undertaking education or training that would lead to work.

2.    The Childcare Sufficiency Action Plan provided Cabinet with an updated report on the progress being made in addressing the priorities identified in the 2016 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment.

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Mr K Quinn left the meeting and did not return.

Mrs G Curtis left the meeting and did not return.

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