MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSON’S COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON TUESDAY, 7 JANUARY 2003 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM
Present :
Mr A J Mellor (Chairman), Mrs T M Butchers, Mrs B D Clough (deputising for Mr J H Howe), Mr C R Hancock, Mr I R Stephens, Mr D G Williams
Apologies :
Mr J H Howe, Mrs M J Miller
Portfolio Holders :
Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs J L Wareham
12. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2002 be confirmed.
13. EARLY YEARS DEVELOPMENT AND CHILDCARE PLAN 2003 - 2004
The Committee considered the draft Early Years and Childcare Implementation Plan which was to be submitted to the full Council on 22 January 2003 for approval. The Plan had to be with the DfES by 1 February 2003.
The Council’s Early Years Co-ordinator indicated that the Implementation Plan outlined the actions proposed to meet the final year of the full three year Strategic Plan which was adopted in 2001. Members noted the areas that the targets related to. These would build on the developments undertaken in the previous two years.
The proposals contained in the Plan were the result of collaborative work carried out by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. Comments from all the relevant organisations, agencies, local authority directorates and interested individuals had been taken into account in its preparation.
The Committee was made aware of funding arrangements which assisted in the various initiatives particularly those for training purposes. The Early Years Co-ordinator advised that whilst it would be possible to access European Social Funding the monitoring arrangements required as a condition of any grant aid meant that schemes were not generally cost effective.
In providing child care places it was indicated that no travelling expenses were available for those parents in rural areas. There was a programme however of child care provision in rural areas within the Strategic Plan. Initiatives also included the provision of new day nurseries and child care centres in areas where there was recognised deprivation.
The Flying High for Early Years quality assurance scheme had been successfully launched and the targets set exceeded. Due to the high costs of the quality assurance scheme for Kids Club Network Aiming High proving to be cost prohibitive for Out of School clubs on the Island a local scheme was to be developed. With regard to out of school clubs the Early Years Co-ordinator referred to more focus being given to the provision of places for older children, between 9 and 14 years of age. This involved working with the Youth Service and Connexions.
Members were made aware of some of the difficulties that had been encountered with processing of applications through the Criminal Record Bureau. These had now been overcome and the Early Years Unit had a full staffing compliment.
The Committee congratulated the officers on the excellent work being carried out on early years.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Council be recommended to adopt the Early Years Development and Childcare Plan 2003 - 2004.
14. CO-OPTION TO THE COMMITTEE
The Chairman reported that to provide a more cohesive link with young people the Committee should consider co-opting the Island’s Youth MP as a non-voting member. The Youth MP, Alex Clough, indicated his wish to assist the Committee in its work and help build on effective liaison with the Island’s Youth Council.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Island’s Youth MP be appointed a co-opted non voting member of the Committee.
CHAIRMAN