For Scrutiny to discuss and consider the related issues around the proposal to close Kington Children's Centre Nursery, 3 Gravel Hill, Kington to inform the Cabinet Member Decision. 

The Committee considered the related issues around the proposal to close Kington Children’s Centre Nursery, 3 Gravel Hill, Kington, and informed the Cabinet Member (Children’s Services) of their recommendation.

The Chairman reported that questions or comments on this item had been received from Mr Ian Flood on behalf of concerned parents; Mr Bob Widdowson, Chair, Kington Area Regeneration Company, and Katie Flood on behalf of the Governors at Kington Primary School.  The questions together with the written response handed out at the meeting have been entered in the Committee minute book. 

The Head of Integrated Services and Inclusion reported that the Committee were being consulted prior to a Cabinet Member (Children’s Services) decision on the issue.  She presented the agenda report and highlighted the various efforts made by local residents and the authority over the years to identify the needs, retain and finance the nursery facility in Kington, which due to the low attendance numbers and cost of provision, was being considered for closure. 

The Manager of Early Years and Extended Services reported that since publication of the agenda report  two possible options to continue a nursery facility had come forward, and urgent work was currently underway to assess their viability.  She warned that even if an alternate provider could be found the current provision by the authority (the Kington Children’s Centre Nursery) may still need to close in September 2008. 

The Chairman invited Mr I Flood, nominated representative for concerned parents, to expand on his submitted questions and to put the parent’s point of view.  

Mr Flood criticised the short notice given to parents over the proposals and the time scale in which to submit questions to the Committee. He highlighted that parents were now seeking to find suitable alternate provision in the area. While acknowledging there was local crèche provision e.g. at Lady Hawkins, he commented that this did not meet the requirements of working families and that some parents now faced the prospect of having to give up work.  Staff at the current facility were seeking new employment and therefore, assuming a new employer could be found, the business would suffer through lack of continuity. He also questioned the level of local advertising for the facility as many locals seemed unaware of it. 

The Chairman invited Councillor TM James, local ward member, to comment.

Councillor TM James criticised the apparent rush towards closing the facility.  He commented that many of the answers given to the written questions were flawed highlighting inconsistencies in the expected number of new houses.  He also highlighted the difficulties for parents in accessing alternative provision at Eardisley and Lyonshall.  He suggested there needed to be some breathing space e.g. 2 or 3 months, to explore possible alternatives.  He further commented that to his knowledge Smart Start Nurseries had only advertised the facility by word of mouth.

The Head of Integrated Services and Inclusion reported that there needed to be a point at which a decision was made.  She emphasised that help and support would be offered to any family disadvantaged by the closure which was not proposed to happen until July 2008.  She responded to the comment concerning new housing numbers that attendance numbers would still not be viable even if double the expected new housing were built.  Responding to comments regarding the consideration of options she emphasised that at many times in the facilities history options had always been considered.  Currently it did not present a viable business case to offer it for tender, however, the two recent options that had come forward would be urgently explored.

Responding to whether the Government Office West Midlands (GOWM) would claw back the £210,000 Neighbourhood Nursery Initiative funding the Manager of Early Years and Extended Services reported that a case would have to be put to GOWM for individual assessment.  Responding to the earlier comment regarding advertising she informed the Committee that a degree of marketing had been undertaken when issues arising out of the Ofsted inspection had been addressed.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and in light of the comments made, particularly regarding two further options, the Cabinet Member (Children's Services) be recommended to reconsider the closure of Kington Children's Centre Nursery if a viable alternative option can be found.  However members were anxious not to extend this period indefinitely and suggested a 6 week window of review before a final decision by the Cabinet Member