Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the Children's Centre Programme Re-shaping.

Debbie Watson attended to present a report on the Children’s Centre Programme Re-shaping. It was explained that the government wanted the network of children’s centres to be retained but focused much more effectively on those families who need them most. Within this context, it was reported that the children’s centre programme in Cheshire East had been reviewed to ensure that it was best placed to respond to the opportunities and challenges ahead.

It was explained that as part of the re-shaping, the service had ran a consultation process throughout February and March. Within this, it was explained that the programme of 19 centres would be re-shaped and some children’s centre footprints merged resulting in a reduction of ‘designated’ centres to 13. It was made clear that any merging of the centres would not result in any change or reduction to services and that children and families would continue to have access to needs led services from the same venues that they currently used. Indeed, it was noted that these changes were not driven by savings but by the need for more effective management.

It was reported that following the consultation process there had been no objections to the proposed re-shaping.

After considering the report, it was suggested that the Committee reconsider the item in 6 months time to assess the efficacy of the re-shaping.

RESOLVED –

a)     That the contents of the report be noted

b)     That the item be placed on the work programme for review in 6 months time.