Issue - meetings

(1)       At the request of the Committee, Dr Craig gave an update on revenue funding for Sure Start Local Programmes and Children’s Centres (Minute 9(10)).

(2)       As stated in the Minute, the Government provided revenue funding of an average of approximately £175k per annum for each Children’s Centre to cover management, caretaking and at least 0.5 FTE of a qualified teacher.  Funding for the 9 Children’s Centres operated under the Sure Start Local Programme had been at a higher level to cover the cost of outreach services, but the Government had indicated some time ago that funding was to be reduced to the same level as other Children’s Centres with effect from April 2008, with the cost of the outreach services being met instead by the bodies providing those services.  It now appeared likely that the funding reduction would be postponed until April 2009, but confirmation of the detailed funding arrangements were expected to be received from Government shortly and would be circulated to Members of the Committee.

(3)       RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2007 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.