Agenda item

(a)  That it be agreed to retain Chalvey Grove, Penn Road and Romsey Close as children’s centre delivery sites with early years and Monksfield Way and Yew Tree Road for only Early Years provision.  All other 5 current sites would close from September 2023.

(b)  That it be noted that a report and strategy (following a business case and a feasibility study) would be brought back to Cabinet in October 2023 on a wider family hub model following engagement with the community and partner agencies in Slough.

The Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services, Lifelong Skills and Governance introduced a report that sought the agreement of the Cabinet to the re-modelling of children’s centre services.

The Executive Director for Children’s Services provided a detailed overview of the report and recommendations which had been developed following public consultation.  The recommendations to Cabinet were to retain Chalvey Grove, Penn Road and Romsey Close as children’s centre delivery sites with early years, and to retain Monksfield Way and Yew Tree Road for early years provision only.  The other five current sites would close from September 2023.  It was noted that the budget approved by full Council included a planned saving in relation to children’s centres.  The full year saving of £462k would be delivered from 2024/25 onwards, with part year savings in the current year if the Cabinet agreed that the five sites would close from September 2023.  It was also noted that a report and strategy would be brought back to Cabinet in October 2023 on a wider family hub model.

The Cabinet noted the feedback from the public consultation, including a petition that had been launched on Change.Org titled ‘Save Slough Children’s Centres’, that had a focus on any potential impact on Romsey Close and on childcare provision.  It was noted that the recommendation was to retain Romsey Close.  The Council had undertaken a wide range of supporting work in bringing the report to Cabinet including updating the necessary statutory assessment for childcare sufficiency and a full transportation analysis.  Lead Members noted that the consultation had influenced the recommendations put to Cabinet.

The Leader invited Councillors Hulme, Mann and Anderson to address the Cabinet as they had registered to speak.  Various concerns about the proposals were made including whether there would be sufficient childcare provision given the viability and workforce issues faced the sector; the impact the closures would have for children with special educational needs, especially as there was rising demand for services; and the deliverability of the savings.  The Cabinet noted the points raised and Officers responded that they were confident the savings as presented in the report would be delivered and that following the work on the sufficiency assessment the needs of children with special educational needs could be met.

At the conclusion of the discussion the Leader summarised the recommendations which were agreed by Cabinet.

Resolved –

(a)  That it be agreed to retain Chalvey Grove, Penn Road and Romsey Close as children’s centre delivery sites with early years and Monksfield Way and Yew Tree Road for only Early Years provision.  All other 5 current sites would close from September 2023.

(b)  That it be noted that a report and strategy (following a business case and a feasibility study) would be brought back to Cabinet in October 2023 on a wider family hub model following engagement with the community and partner agencies in Slough.