Agenda item

To determine whether to release the decision for implementation or recommend to the decision maker that the decision should be reconsidered.

Having considered both of the call-in documentation together with the representations made to them, the voting members of Scrutiny Board considered whether to release the decisions for implementation or recommend to the decision-maker that the decisions should be reconsidered.

The Board agreed to the suggestion of the Chair that decisions be made in respect of each sub section (b) – (g) of the Executive Board resolution of the minutes of 19th June 2024 and voted upon in turn.

Individual votes were then subsequently held on the components (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) as set out in the resolutions of Executive Board Minute No. 7, 19th June 2024 (as presented in full below), and it was 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That resolutions (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of the Executive Board Minute No. 7, 19th June 2024 (as presented in full below) each be released for implementation;

(b)  That resolution (g) of the Executive Board Minute No. 7, 19th June 2024 (as presented in full below) be referred back to the Executive Board, as decision taker, for reconsideration on the basis of ensuring that appropriate democratic oversight is in place for any potential future decisions regarding those settings listed in resolution (e).

Resolutions of Executive Board Minute No 7, 19^th June 2024

(a) That in general terms, the contents of the submitted report, be noted;

(b) That it be noted that the Council will continue to directly deliver day care at the following Little Owls settings:

• Chapeltown  • Harehills  • Middleton Laurel Bank 

• New Bewerley  • Swarcliffe  • Two Willows 

• Little London  • Seacroft  • Armley Moor

(c) That the consultation and engagement responses in relation to the proposal, as detailed within the submitted report and appendices, be noted; and having had regard to those, the withdrawal from and/or closure of Little Owls Gipton North, Little Owls Chapel Allerton and Little Owls Kentmere, be approved;

(d) That following resolution (c) above, where possible and noting ancillary use, those buildings be declared surplus to operational requirements following the closedown of Little Owls functions;

(e) That the initial consultation and engagement responses in relation to the proposal to explore the potential amalgamation of some Little Owls settings and to explore potential and viable interest from other providers, as detailed within the submitted report and appendices, be noted; and that agreement be given to the undertaking of a ‘market sounding exercise’ to deliver additional nursery places to replace specific Council run settings at the following locations:

• Shepherds Lane  • City & Holbeck  • Hunslet Rylestone

• Meanwood  • Parklands  • Osmondthorpe

• St Mary’s Hunslet  • Quarry Mount  • Rothwell

• Hawksworth Wood  • Bramley  • Burley Park

(f) That the subsequent ‘market sounding exercise’ in relation to the settings set out in resolution (e) above, be agreed, and that it be noted that those ‘market sounding exercises’ will commence immediately;

(g) That it be noted that the Director of Children and Families may take further decisions in respect of the settings listed at resolution (e) above following the market sounding exercise for the twelve settings indicated, which would be as a direct consequence of this decision.