Issue - meetings

(1)       Ms Gamby and Mrs White introduced a report which updated Members on progress to date and future plans for Children’s Centres and Extended Schools in Kent.  Members were invited to ask questions and make comments, which included the following:-

·        The importance of there being an awareness of the impact that Children Centres can have on the private and voluntary sector in their area was highlighted. It was important that they were encouraged to co-operate with each other for mutual benefit. 

·        It was important to ensure that providing cover for the Extended School did not distract teaching staff from their core duties.

·        Mrs White assured Members that although a number of schools delivered their extended services by signposting this was done in a proactive way.

·        The issue of the community use of school facilities during school holidays was mentioned.

·        Clarification was sought as to whether the Temple Hill Children’s Centre was in the Dover West Local Children Services Partnership as stated in Appendix 1.

(2)       The Chairman requested that any information requested by a Member at a Meeting should be circulated to all POC Members and that there should be a flow of information to POC Members between Meetings.

(3)       RESOLVED that (a)   the report and the comments made by Members as set out in the Minutes be noted;   (b)      the outcomes from the information provided to the DCSF by each Children’s Centre against set targets be provided to the POC at the appropriate time.