DECISION

1.    To approve the adoption of a revised capital estimate of £470,000 for the extension of the Whitehorse One O’clock Club.

2.    To approve the adoption of a capital estimate of £285,000 for the conversion of the Bethnal Green Rangers’ office to provide a new nursery facility.

3.    To agree that Council-approved Frameworks be used, where appropriate, to deliver the projects;

4.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Children’s Services, in respect of all proposed tenders referred to in this report, to agree tenders for projects within the approved programmes and capital estimate;

5.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Children’s Services to prepare and carry out a Bill of Reductions if a scheme exceeds the approved budget, where relevant to ensure expenditure is contained within the agreed costs

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S SERVICES (D. JONES)

(Head of Building Development (P. Watson)

Councillor Rachael Saunders, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, introduced the report. She highlighted that this was only one part of the Council’s work to respond to the challenges posted by the increasing numbers of children in the Borough but that Early Years provision was a vital part of this.

During discussion, officers reported that provision of 30 hours of free childcare for 2 to 5 year olds was going to be a challenge but that they were working to deal with that.

After seeking assurance that the places would be taken up, the Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the adoption of a revised capital estimate of £470,000 for the extension of the Whitehorse One O’clock Club.

2.    To approve the adoption of a capital estimate of £285,000 for the conversion of the Bethnal Green Rangers’ office to provide a new nursery facility.

3.    To agree that Council-approved Frameworks be used, where appropriate, to deliver the projects;

4.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Children’s Services, in respect of all proposed tenders referred to in this report, to agree tenders for projects within the approved programmes and capital estimate;

5.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Children’s Services to prepare and carry out a Bill of Reductions if a scheme exceeds the approved budget, where relevant to ensure expenditure is contained within the agreed costs

Lead Officer : Somen Banerjee

The Health and Wellbeing Board noted the priorities, targets and objectives of the Early Years  (0-5 year olds) to ensure that more children were given the opportunity of a healthy start in life by the following action plans:

·         Supported by parents and carers with good physical and mental health before, during and after pregnancy

·         With secure emotional attachment and good cognitive development

·         Being breastfed and establishing healthy eating habits

·         With strong foundations for excellent oral health

·         Developing physically and socially through play

·         Living in environments free from the health harms of alcohol, tobacco and drugs

·         Fully immunised