Decision

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

1. Agree, in principle, to the creation of an owned and operated children’s home.
2. Authorise the Executive Director for Children’s Services to prepare a detailed business case for the above proposal, such business case to include (but not be limited to) details as to:

(a) the budget required to deliver the proposal including an analysis of the value for money impact;

(b) the options available in respect of the purchase (freehold or leasehold) of a property or parcel of land and of either building a new property (or refurbishing an existing property) so that a local authority owned and operated children’s home can be established (which may include appropriation of an existing Council owned asset).

(c)  the timescales of delivering the project;

(d)  the risks associated with the project including the ability to recruit the staff necessary to run the children’s home and the ability of the council to obtain all necessary consents, certifications and regulatory approvals necessary to run a children’s home.

1. Instruct the Executive Director of Children’s Services to bring the completed business case to Cabinet for a further decision.
2. Note the intention of Children’s Services to trial / pilot / implement alternative commissioning strategies which may include:

(a) use of existing council-owned premises to commission services based on nomination rights;

(b) partnership arrangements with the independent sector; and

(c) a joint venture with a strategic partner.

BUT provided that such proposals will be progressed via existing delegations or by further reference to Cabinet where no sufficient delegation exists.