Agenda item

Sarah Hammond (Corporate Director for Children’s, Young People and Education) was in attendance for this item.

1.    Mrs Chandler (Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services) introduced the report which set out  the comments expressed during the debate at the Scrutiny Committee held on  Wednesday 29th January 2025 following the call-in of decision 24/00093 - Future of Commissioned Services at Seashells and Millmead Family Hubs.

2.    Mrs Chandler advised that the comments and views expressed at Scrutiny Committee had been considered by herself and Senior Officers, having kept in mind the policy context set by the Council and the requirement to deliver family health services to families, children and young people consistently across Kent.

3.    Particular consideration was given on the points raised about co-location of services and potential reach. Mrs Chandler highlighted that the original decision had been amended to include the option of delivery of outreach services by the KCC Family Hub team in recognition of the consultation responses, which expressed considerable concern about those two issues. Careful consideration had also been given to the various issues raised over the available data. Mrs Chandler emphasised that data relating to delivery of family hub services as determined by the DFE had to be the key data that was considered, however, assurance was provided that that wider data sets which had been provided by the centres were being considered carefully in the context with relation to family health services.

4.    Mrs Chandler confirmed that the report to Full Council would provide the detailed responses to the above points and the others that were raised at the Scrutiny Committee.

5.    Mrs Chandler offered an alternative recommendation for Cabinet consideration, as follows:

“that Cabinet note the report from Scrutiny and note the referral of this item to full council”

6.    The Leader advised that Cabinet should not pre-empt the debate at full Council. It was however recognised that a number of issues needed to be addressed during the debate at Full Council, including the data sets and understanding what the indicators confirmed. It was also important that the discussion of the decision was in line with policy choice regarding the Family Hubs model.

7.    Further to comments and questions from Members it was noted:

·         Members expressed their confidence in the Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services to review the decision and ensure availability of figures to support a well-informed debate at Full Council. It was noted that until the full information had been presented, it was not appropriate for Cabinet to make any further recommendations.

·         Members expressed discontentment regarding the petition submitted calling for the resignation of Cabinet Members for decisions that the administration were taking. Whilst debate and the expression of different views remained a part of a healthy representative democracy, such unacceptable behaviours undermined the key democratic principles of free speech, debate and engagement, and thus posed a risk to councillors' personal safety. Cabinet Members acted in accordance with the law and in accordance with the administration's policies.

·         Members recognised the challenges presented to the Executive and the substantial effort in navigating those difficult decisions.

8.    RESOLVED that Cabinet agree to:

(a)  NOTE the comments and views expressed by Scrutiny when agreeing to refer the matter to Full Council

(b)  CONFIRM the decision will be progressed to Full Council unchanged at this time

(c)  AGREE to present further information to support Full Council consideration of the call-in