Agenda item

·  That the SCF’s Business and Improvement Plan for 2024 to 2025 as at Appendix A to the report be approved.

·  That the amended contractual key performance indicators at Appendix B be approved and delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Lead Member for Children’s Services, to make minor amendments to these indicators, including agreeing changes to the measures.

·  That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Lead Member for Children’s Services, to make amendments to the Articles of Association in relation to the board composition, quorum and reserved matters.

·  That it be noted that the contract sum for 2024/25 would be considered and approved as part of the Council’s budget setting process. 

·  Note that it has been agreed that SCF will not submit an Annual Report for 2022/23.

The Lead Member for  Education and Children’s Services introduced a report that sought approval of the Slough Children First (SCF) Business and Improvement Plan for 2024 to 2025.  The background to the company and current status of the business plan was summarised.

The plan was a crucial document that set out the company’s strategic priorities and financial strategy.  It governed how SCF conducted its business, and it was not permitted to enter into transactions, agreements or contracts unless they were in accordance with the plan.  The Cabinet welcomed the fact that for the first time the plan focused on improvement as well as the financial aspects of a business plan.

The Executive Director of Childrens’ Services/Chief Executive of SCF highlighted the importance of developing good quality social care services for children whilst achieving best value.  The Cabinet was being asked to approve an amended suite of contractual key performance indicators which focused on areas such as workforce strategy, ensuring effective participation of children and young people and financial performance, in addition to some existing indicators around quality of practice.

The Cabinet was also asked to note that the contract sum of 2024/25 would be considered and approved as part of the Council’s budget setting process and that it had been agreed by the Strategic Commissioning Group that the requirement for SCF to submit an annual report for 2022/23 be waived to enable the new leadership of the company to focus on future performance.

The Cabinet approved the recommendations.

Resolved –

(a)  That the SCF’s Business and Improvement Plan for 2024 to 2025 as at Appendix A to the report be approved.

(b)  That the amended contractual key performance indicators at Appendix B be approved and delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Lead Member for Children’s Services, to make minor amendments to these indicators, including agreeing changes to the measures.

(c)  That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Lead Member for Children’s Services, to make amendments to the Articles of Association in relation to the board composition, quorum and reserved matters.

(d)  That it be noted that the contract sum for 2024/25 would be considered and approved as part of the Council’s budget setting process. 

(e)  Note that it has been agreed that SCF would not submit an Annual Report for 2022/23.