Agenda item
REQUESTS TO SUBMIT PETITIONS
To receive any petitions (to be notified at the meeting).
Minutes:
The Chair advised OSC that a petition had been submitted to the Service Head of Democratic Services against proposed closure of all public nurseries in the Borough. It did not meet the criteria as set out in the constitution for the receipt of a petition at OSC (it does not relate to an agenda item and the number of signatories who as live work study in the borough has yet to be fully verified). However, the Chair indicated that he was minded to allow the petitioners to address the Committee and present their petition given the importance of the petition's subject to local residents and the current public consultation exercise on Budget savings proposed for consideration by the Mayor in Cabinet in December.
It was:
Resolved
To suspend Council Procedure Sub Rule 19.4 “Scope of petition, under the provisions of Council Procedure rule 26.1 “Suspension” in order for the Committee to receive the petition.
OSC received and noted a petition presented by Alicja Toij and Dionne Kayley with regard to Public Nursery Provision in Tower Hamlets the main points of the petition are set out as follows:
The petition called on Tower Hamlets Council and Department for Communities and Local Government to reverse proposed cuts and review the proposal regarding the closure of all public nurseries Queen Mary, John Smith, Mary Sambrook, Overland and instead offer fair and robust consultation with public, parents, staff, and Trade Unions to work on a way forward, which will allow the continuation of such a valuable service. Involve parents groups i.e. system such as schools governing body, parents involvement to be introduced to assist the Council in efficient running of the service, public voice, quality assurance.
These nurseries are outstanding and part of the community history and cohesion. Some have been running for over 30 years, with dedicated well trained staff teams. All 4 remaining have provided affordable childcare to children with different type of needs i.e. special educational needs, disabled children, lone parents, students, residents that may require support. Closures will affect parents’ ability to work, study. Disruptions will affect the children's wellbeing. Currently the petitioners understood that over 120 children that are affected by this proposal.
These nurseries offer children quality care and are alternative to often overpriced private sector nurseries. Poverty of families in Tower Hamlets is increasing, so is the younger population of children under 10, therefore as parents and residents of the Borough we call for the Council to withdraw the closure proposals and instead engage with public, parents on how to support the outstanding nurseries to continue their work within the local community. These nurseries provide a real value to community i.e. cost wise and quality, as they have highly skilled staff working with the children.
In addition, the Committee noted that a sample of 30 signatures had been received with the petition and that the petitioners indicated that to date they have collected 1109 signatures.
As a result of discussions on the petition the Committee agreed that they would wish to receive a written response from officers on whether any action has been taken to close access to nurseries ahead of the actual decision. Together with a written commitment from the Cabinet Member and Lead Officers that they will take no further action until a formal decision has been taken as part of the budgetary process. Finally, the Committee also wanted to receive a written explanation with regards to:
a) The closure of both George Green and Ocean Nurseries;
b) The lack of notice given regarding these closures; and
c) What happened to the staff at the two nurseries?
Resolved
i. To ask for a written response from officers on whether any action has been taken to close access to nurseries ahead of the actual decision.
ii. To ask for a written commitment from the Cabinet Member and Lead Officers that they will take no further action until a formal decision has been taken as part of the budgetary process.
iii. To ask for a written explanation with regards to:
a) The closure of both George Green and Ocean Nurseries;
b) The lack of notice given regarding these closures; and
c) What happened to the staff at the two nurseries?