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RESOLVED: Agreed the
corporate response to the independent commission into affordable
childcare
 
REASONS FOR DECISION:
 
In January 2023, an independent commission was
launched by the previous Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville and by
me as Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure. This was to
take forward a 2022-26 Manifesto Commitment to investigate
opportunities for:
 
“...affordable childcare, to map
provision and access in the borough, support the growth of more
public and private affordable childcare options, including more
social enterprise, third sector and Co-op provision as well as
continuing to invest in our network of local
childminders.”
 
The independent report was published on our
website on 15th January 2024 with a joint press release from the
commission chair and from me.
 
The report is from an independent commission
that was established by the Mayor. There needs to be a formal
response for the findings to be embedded into Council plans, to
ensure that the report has an impact.
 
DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND
REJECTED:
 
To bring the independent report to Cabinet
without a formal officer response. This was rejected at the time
the commission was being established as there would not have been
an impact.
 
To publish the independent report and develop
an informal response. This was rejected at the time the commission
was being established as there would have been no transparent
response.