Cabinet Member decisions

Proposed decision:

To agree to the disposal of the property asset known as Saxon House, Broadstairs, Kent and delegate authority to:

1.       The Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, tofinalise the contractual terms of the disposal. 

2.       The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of necessary contractual and land agreements required to implement the above.

Reason for the decision:

The property is surplus to the Councils requirement with an estimated transaction value in excess of £1million and is therefore a key decision.

Background:

The land was previously used by Kent County Council (KCC) for educational purposes until the new Foreland Fields School opened in 2017. The site is surplus to the ongoing operational requirements of the Council and is being progressed for disposal. The property comprises of a site totalling 0.59 Hectares (1.46 acres), with an existing single storey educational building of 1980/90’s construction and outbuilding and a grassed open space. Saxon House is situated in Broadstairs on the Kent Coast.

A pre-marketing process was undertaken, and an advert placed in the Estates Gazette on 19 February for one week, providing notification in the mainstream property media that the site is coming forward. This resulted in several expressions of interest. Subsequently the property has been formally marketed with external agents and initial bids are to be received by 25 March 2022.

Options:

·         KCC has considered the building for its own use, but it is not required.

·         Disposal of the asset.

How the proposed decision supports the Interim Strategic Plan:

The disposal of the site will enable the Council to secure a capital receipt to fund reinvestment the capital priorities as set out in the Medium-term Financial Plan.

As the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to the disposal of the sites and delegate authority to:

1.    The Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the terms of the disposal.

2.    The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of all necessary or desirable documentation required to implement the above.

Proposed decision:

To agree to the disposal of the property, the former Laleham Gap School and playing field, Southcliffe Parade, Broadstairs CT10 1TJ and delegate authority to:

1.       The Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the terms of the disposal; and

2.       The Director of Infrastructure, to authorise the execution of all necessary or desirable documentation required to implement the above.

Reason for the decision

The property is surplus to the Council’s operational requirements and, due to the value, a key decision is required as per the Kent County Council’s constitution.

Background

The site is a former school building and playing field. It has been declared surplus by the Council as it is no longer required for operational purposes. The school was relocated to a new purpose-built facility on another site.

The Council intends to progress with the disposal of the site in line with its adopted Freehold Asset Disposal Policy. The site has been allocated for housing within the Local Plan and initial advice provided from agents regarding anticipated values indicates that a key decision is required.

Consent has been sought and gained from the Secretary of State for Education, allowing Kent County Council to progress with a disposal, given the former education use of the site.

A decision is sought to authorise disposal of the site and to delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure to finalise the terms, subject to consultation with the relevant cabinet member.

Options

The Council has an overarching duty under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 to secure not less than best consideration in respect of property disposals. It also has a fiduciary duty to the residents of Kent.

The property is not required for the Council’s operational purposes and has been considered surplus to education needs following the relocation of the school to the new site.  Since vacation of the school site, alternative service needs were considered and none have been identified. A disposal provides an opportunity to reinvest capital in agreed priorities, as set out in the Council’s Capital programme.

How the proposed decision supports the Interim Strategic Plan

By securing a capital receipt to fund the Capital programme and to streamline the Council’s property portfolio to achieve financial and efficiency benefits, in line with appropriate policy.

As the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to the disposal of the property, the former Laleham Gap School and playing field, Southcliffe Parade, Broadstairs CT10 1TJ and delegate authority to:

1.    The Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the terms of the disposal; and

2.    The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of all necessary or desirable documentation required to implement the above.

Proposed decision:

To agree the disposal of Lots 4 and 5 of Land and Buildings at Victoria Road/Park Crescent Road Margate CT9 1NB and delegate authority to:

1.    The Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the terms of the disposal; and

2.    The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of all necessary or desirable documentation required to implement the above

Reason for the decision

The property is surplus to the Council’s operational requirements and due to anticipated values, a key decision is required as per Kent County Council’s constitution.

Background

The site comprises of Lots 4 (0.66 acres) and 5 (13.4 acres), as identified in the General Site Plan, of the former Royal School for the Deaf (RSD) site, which was purchased by Kent County Council for the construction of a new secondary school. Due to changes in demographic projections, the new school project has been cancelled. The entire site has now been declared surplus by the Council as it is no longer required for operational purposes.

The Council intends to progress with the disposal of the site in line with its adopted Freehold asset disposal policy.

Initial advice provided from agents regarding anticipated values, indicates that a key decision is required for the disposal of Lots 4 and 5.

A decision is sought to authorise disposal of the site and to delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure to finalise the terms, subject to consultation with the relevant cabinet member.

Options

The Council has an overarching duty under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 to secure not less than best consideration in respect of property disposals. It also has a fiduciary duty to the residents of Kent.

The property is not required for the Council’s operational purposes or educational needs. Since becoming surplus to educational needs, alternative service needs were considered, but none identified. A disposal provides an opportunity to reinvest capital in agreed priorities, as set out in the Council’s Capital programme.

How the proposed decision supports the Interim Strategic Plan

By securing a capital receipt to fund the Capital programme and to streamline the Council’s property portfolio to achieve financial and efficiency benefits in line with appropriate policy.

As the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to the disposal of Lots 4 and 5, Land and Buildings at Victoria Road/Park Crescent Road, Margate CT9 1NB, and delegate authority to:

1.    The Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the terms of the disposal; and

2.    The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of all necessary or desirable documentation required to implement the above.

Proposed decision –

1)    Agree that a Free School Presumption Competition can commence in order to seek applications from potential sponsors to run the new 2FE Primary School in Thanington, Canterbury.

2)    Allocate £9.9m from the Children, Young People and Education Capital budget.

3)    Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services in consultation with the General Counsel and Director of Education to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council.

4)    Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

·     Reason for the decision.

In order to establish the new 2 FE primary School in Thanington, Canterbury. Kent County Council is required to run a Free School Presumptive competition to secure an Academy Sponsor. The Education Act 2011 changed the arrangements for establishing new schools and introduced Section 6A (the academy and free school presumption) to the Education and Inspections Act 2006.  This was amended in March 2015 to be only a free school presumption.  Where a local authority identifies a need for a new school in its area, it must seek proposals to establish a free school.  All new free school proposals require the Secretary of State’s approval. 

·     Background

The new 2FE Primary School in Thanington, Canterbury, is being established to meet the demand for places from new housing developments in the vicinity.  The new school is to be built on the Cockering Farm housing development and the site was secured through the Section 106 agreement for this site. The school will meet the need for additional primary school places arising from new housing on this site and the surrounding area and will reduce the impact on the road system in the immediate area. The 3 main developments in Thanington will produce a total of 1,150 new homes. These developments would be expected to generate 322 primary pupils (based on all dwellings being applicable).

The new Primary school will provide 420 places for pupils aged 4 to 11 years and is planned to open in September 2025.  Initially the school will open as a 1FE school of 30 pupils in Year R (reception year) growing year on year. The second reception class will open at a future date as the housing development expands and houses are occupied. This phased approach is to ensure that there are not too many primary school places in Canterbury and that additional places are brought forward as demand increases.

·     Options (other options considered but discarded)

Other options, apart from delaying the opening date of the new school, have not been considered as this school is to serve the new housing development in Thanington and forms part of a s106 agreement. The agreement requires KCC to enter a building contract within 2 years of the transfer of the site. The site was transferred in July 2021.

·     How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Framing Kent’s Future – Our Council Strategy (2022-2026)

This proposal will help to secure Priority 1 Levelling up Kent: to maintain KCC’s strategic role in supporting schools in Kent to deliver accessible, high quality education provision for all families.

The Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2022-2026 sets out the need for commissioning additional school places.

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

i)                   Agree that a Free School Presumption Competition can commence in order to seek applications from potential sponsors to run the new 2FE Primary School in Thanington, Canterbury.

ii)                  Allocate £9.9m from the Children, Young People and Education Capital budget

iii)                 Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services in consultation with the General Counsel and Director of Education to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council.

iv)                 Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

PROPOSED DECISION:

To approve changes to the Kent County Council local funding formula for schools and early years providers that is used to calculate school budgets and early years rates from 1 April 2023. 

Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education & Skills and the Schools Funding Forum, to make any necessary changes to the Local Funding Formula rates as requested by the Department of Education.

Reason for the decision:

In response to the Government confirming the additional funding for schools, Kent County Council is set to receive approximately £23m in 2023-24 to increases in funding rates for primary and secondary school budgets. The Government has also indicated a further £15m for High Needs in 2023-24. We are awaiting confirmation of the funding available for Early Years Providers. This decision will confirm how this additional funding will be distributed to schools and early years providers in line with Government guidelines. 

Background:

The Government has confirmed the Council continues to be responsible for operating a local funding formula for Kent maintained schools (and this formula is also used by the Education and Skills Funding Agency for calculating Kent academy budgets) during 2023-24 and legislation dictates that any changes to that formula is subject to an all school consultation which took place in November 2022 along with seeking views from the Schools Funding Forum. The consultation focuses on how we allocate any additional funding and a request to transfer a further 1% from the schools to the high needs block to support SEN Support services in schools (the latter is also subject to Secretary of State approval).

The Council is responsible for setting the funding formula rates for High Needs funded school places including mainstream top-up funding, specialist resource provisions, maintained and academy special schools, post 16 providers.

The Council is also responsible for setting the Early Years Local Funding Formula which is used for setting the rate paid to early years providers for the Free Entitlement Early Years Funding Rate and Free for Two Rate. 

Options:

The options considered for setting the primary and secondary school budgets are outlined in the consultation document to schools. Proposed changes to the primary and secondary schools funding formula have been limited to avoid any excessive deviation from the National Funding Formula (NFF) used by Government to allocate school funding to local authorities for distribution to schools. This is in line with previous recommendations from both schools & the Schools Funding Forum who have supported the general principle that “our Local Funding Formula should move towards the NFF, but at the same time continue to utilise local flexibility to address areas of local concern”.

The options for the setting of High Needs funding formula rates and Early Years local funding formula rates will be considered once the Government confirms final allocations.

The decision is linked to achieving the objectives set out in Outcome 6: Opportunities for children and young people in Strategic Delivery Plan (2020-2023).

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

a.       Transfer 1% of the Schools Block (which equates to approximately to £12m) into the High Needs Block for 2023-24.

b.       In relation to the Kent local funding formula for schools in 2023-24:

i.         Continue with the Falling Roll fund.

ii.        Set the local Minimum Funding Guarantee percentage at 0% for primary and secondary schools.

iii.       Set the Minimum Per Pupil Funding Level (MPPFL) as per the value in the table below:

iv.       All other factors within the current local funding formula to be set as per the National Funding Formula (NFF) less 1.7%. 

c.        In relation to Kent’s High Needs formula:

i.         4.3% inflationary increase for High Needs Formula budgets including SEN Inclusion Fund, Mainstream Top Up Funding, Specialist Resource Provisions in mainstream schools, Special Schools, Alternative Provision, FE Colleges and Specialist Post 16 Provisions.

ii.        The Special School Minimum Funding Guarantee to be set at 3% for the period between 2021-22 and 2023-24 in line with government statutory guidance.

iii.       The threshold for the additional mainstream top up funding (also known as SEN Notional Budget top Up) to be set at 40% of a schools notional SEN budget.

d.       In relation to Kent’s Early Years Funding Formula for 2023-24:

i.         The Base Rate for three- and four-year olds free entitlement to be set at £4.55 per hour and the Free for Two-year old hourly rate to be set at £5.68 per hour.

ii.        The Quality Supplement for three- and four-year old to be set at £1.05 per hour for those settings with a nominated leader with a Qualified Teacher Status and employed on and paid under the Statutory Teachers’ Terms and Conditions.

iii.       The Disability Access Fund criteria to be extended to include two-year olds as well as three- and four-year olds (and to be reviewed for 2025-26)

e.       Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education to make any further necessary changes to funding rates in light of any final affordability issues.

Proposed decision –

To determine the primary and secondary school co-ordinated admissions schemes for 2024 intake year and the admission arrangements for Kent community and voluntary controlled primary schools and the admission arrangements for Kent community and voluntary controlled secondary schools for 2024 intake year.

Reason for the decision

Admission authorities are legally required to determine admissions arrangements for their schools by 28 February each year. It is intended that admissions arrangements for schools where KCC is the admissions authority are to remain broadly unchanged. It is proposed, however, to reduce the Published Admissions Number for West Minster Primary School (from 90 to 60) and Churchill CoE Primary School (from 60 to 30) which is detailed in the consultation documentation available through the link detailed below. The consultation is due to run until 2nd January 2023.

Local Authorities are also required to consult with all schools within their geographical boundaries on an Admissions Scheme, which details how the co-ordinated and in year admissions processes will operate for the forthcoming year. This consultation is due to run until 15th December 2022.

Following the completion of both consultations, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is requested to approve the proposed admission arrangements and scheme.

Legal Implications

Section 13A of the Education Act 1996 states every admission authority must, before the beginning of each school year determine the admission arrangements which are to apply for that year 7. Local authorities are required by Section 92 of the School Standards and Framework Act and the Education (School Information) (England) Regulations 2008 to publish admission arrangements for all maintained schools in their area. Under section 88(1A) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (as inserted by section 42 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006) it is the duty of a governing body of a community or voluntary controlled school, for which a local authority is the admissions authority, to implement any decision relating to the admission of pupils taken by the admission authority. Similarly, under section 89(3A) of the 1998 Act and regulations, the governing body of a voluntary aided or foundation school must implement a decision of the local authority, made under the relevant co-ordinated admission arrangements, whether a child should be granted or refused admission to the school.  Failure to do so would amount to a breach of the admission authority’s statutory duty.          

As Cabinet Member for Education, and SkillsI determine:

a)    The Coordinated Primary Admissions Scheme 2024/25 incorporating the In Year admissions process as detailed in Appendix A

b)      The Co-ordinated Secondary Admissions Scheme 2024/25incorporating the In Year admissions process and the provision of Kent Test and related materials as detailed in Appendix B

c)      The oversubscription criteria relating to Community and Voluntary Controlled Infant, Junior and Primary Schools in Kent 2024/25as detailed in Appendix C (1)

d)      The oversubscription criteria relating to Community and Voluntary Controlled Secondary Schools in Kent 2024/25as detailed in Appendix D (1)

e)      The Published Admissions Number for Community and Voluntary Controlled Infant, Junior and Primary Schools 2024/25as set out in Appendix C (2)

f)       The Published Admissions Number for Community and Voluntary Controlled Secondary Schools 2024/25as set out in Appendix D (2)

g)      The relevant statutory consultation areas for Kent Infant, Junior and Primary Schools 2024/25as detailed in Appendix A (2) and the relevant statutory consultation areas for Kent Secondary Schools 2024/25as set out in Appendix B (2)

Proposed decision

      I.                  Agree a funding agreement between Kent County Council and Sir Roger Manwood’s School Trust be entered into to enable £2.1m (plus indexation) of developer contributions to be paid to the School as and when received by the Council.

    II.                  Authorise the Director of Education in consultation with the General Counsel to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council.

   III.                  Authorise the Director of Education to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

Reason(s) for decision:

Background

Sir Roger Manwood’s School is a co-educational selective school in Sandwich. In 2015 the School’s Trustees increased the Published Admissions Number from 120 places per year group to 150 and has been self-funding remodelling of the School’s buildings to accommodate the additional pupils.

The Authority has not provided any funding from its Capital Programme to support the expansion of the School.  To date financial support has been limited to £285k of developer contributions which the Authority received and passed on to the School to pay for works undertaken as part of its expansion. 

The School has a master plan in place which demonstrates how it will continue to remodel its facilities to address the pressure points created by admitting additional pupils.  The plans demonstrate three phases of works. 

Dover District has seen secondary school rolls rising for several years.   In the non-selective sector this increase has been absorbed within existing capacity.  However, in the selective sector Dover Girls’ Grammar School, Dover Grammar School for Boys and Sir Roger Manwood’s School have all increased their Published Admissions Numbers and have admitted further pupils.  Consequently, the Authority’s forecasts (Figure 1) indicate only a small deficit of Year 7 places in forthcoming years.  This would not be the case had Sir Roger Manwood’s not increased by 1FE.

Figure 1: Secondary - Year 7 surplus/deficit capacity if no further action is taken

Financial Implications

The Authority has sought developer contributions to support the School’s expansion from 4FE to 5FE, with agreements in place to the value of £2.1m.  In line with the CIL Regulations that applied at the time, these contributions name the School and can only be used to support expansion here.  They also refer to phases of delivery, again because the CIL Regulations at the time restricted the Authority to utilising no more than five obligations to a project. 

The Authority has not provided any funding from its Capital Programme to support the expansion of the School.  To date financial support has been limited to £285k of developer contributions which the Authority received and passed on to the School to pay for works undertaken as part of its expansion. 

As of November 2022, KCC has £741k of banked developer contributions which name Sir Roger Manwood’s School and the projects which support the expansion from 4FE to 5FE.

It would be appropriate to enter into a funding agreement for total £2.1m of developer contributions. This will set out the individual development agreements from which funding has been received or is anticipated.  It will stipulate the monies, and any indexation received with these, will only be paid to the School if and when received by the Authority.  This will not place any financial pressure on the Capital Budget.

As Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

I.        A funding agreement between Kent County Council and Sir Roger Manwood’s School Trust be entered into to enable £2.1m (plus indexation) of developer contributions to be paid to the School as and when received by the Council.

II.       Authorise the Director of Education in consultation with the General Counsel to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council.

III.      Authorise the Director of Education to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

Proposed decision:

A)   Commence formal procurement activity to tender for a Domestic Abuse Support Service in Safe Accommodation for Children and Young People affected by Domestic Abuse,

B)   Delegate authority to the Corporate Director CYPE to take relevant actions to facilitate the required procurement activity

C)   Delegate authority to the Corporate Director CYPE to award the contract and take relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.

Background:

Part Four of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 brings the statutory duty for local authorities to provide support for all victims and their children residing in all types of Safe Accommodation, which includes refuges, Sanctuary Schemes, move-on, and dispersed accommodation.

Domestic Abuse support for children and young people residing in Safe Accommodation in Kent is fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult to find. Many young people in Safe Accommodation rely on community services provided by voluntary and community sector organisations, which are often grant funded and inconsistent across the county.

The majority of cases that Integrated Children’s Services (ICS) interact with are linked to either present or historic Domestic Abuse, therefore ICS currently spend a significant amount of time and resources working with children and families who have been affected by Domestic Abuse. This proposed service, whilst may not reduce caseload numbers, could alleviate some pressure on KCC’s Children’s Social Care services that are supporting victims of domestic abuse and also ensure more children have access to support. 

Current Provision:

The current Domestic Abuse (DA) provision commissioned by KCC, with multi-agency funding, is managed through the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Services (KIDAS) contract, which is managed by the Vulnerable Adults Commissioning Team. This contract provides support for adult victims and survivors (16+) both within the community and refuges.

There is currently no KCC commissioned Domestic Abuse support offer that specifically targets children and young people residing in safe accommodation.

Historically, Local Children’s Partnerships Groups have set Domestic Abuse as a priority within their districts and grant funded organisations and projects accordingly.

Commissioning Approach:

A significant amount of activity has taken place to understand how a service can be effective for the children and young people who will be using it, whilst adhering to the requirements of the funding.

A proposed service model was co-produced with statutory partners through a series of workshops. Commissioners then conducted market engagement via Kent business Portal to obtain feedback which was incorporated into the service model.

Young people’s feedback was obtained through a workshop and subsequently incorporated into the service specification to ensure the service design was capturing the voice of the child.

The proposed service model has been approved through all appropriate Directorate governance routes and KCC Domestic Abuse governance routes. 

The Council is seeking the provision of high-quality specialist Domestic Abuse support for children and victims residing in all types of Safe Accommodation. This Support Service will ensure KCC meets its statutory duty set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

As Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, I agree to:

A) Commence formal procurement activity to tender for a Domestic Abuse Support Service in Safe Accommodation for Children and Young People affected by Domestic Abuse,

B)       Delegate authority to the Corporate Director CYPE to take relevant actions to facilitate the required procurement activity

C)       Delegate authority to the Corporate Director CYPE to award the contract and take relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.

Proposed Decision:

Reception and Safe Care Service – premises and management tender

a) approve the delivery of additional Reception and Safe Care Centres via the procurement of the provision of premises, landlord and management services (hard and soft facilities management).

b) following a compliant process, delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services to negotiate, finalise, award and enter into the required contracts; and

c) delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education, to take other the necessary actions including but not limited to negotiating, finalising and entering into contracts or other legal agreements as required to implement this decision. relevant legal agreements such as the award of the contract, as required to implement this decision.

Reason(s) for decision:

·    Decision required because total value of the contract will exceed £1m and impact across multiple districts of the Local Authority.

Background:

·       Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) who arrive in Kent are accommodated by KCC as part of the Local Authority’s statutory duty for children in care.  They are placed in Reception Centres for temporary accommodation for up to eight weeks during which time they undergo a series of assessments including a Children and Family Assessment, a Health Assessment and Age Assessments.  They receive basic orientation and independence skills and associated training programmes to support their transition to independent accommodation.  This assessment period is significant in assessing both the risk to self and any risk to others.  Having identified facilities makes the risk assessment more robust and supports the Governments PREVENT agenda.

·       The Reception Centres provide accommodation and support for male UASC entering Kent aged 16-18.  Other arrivals, either female or those with clear safeguarding concerns, are placed in foster care. 

·       There are two Reception Centres in Kent. One is in Ashford and one is in Cranbrook. The agreed Protocol with the Home Office has recently been reviewed in light of the increases to the ratio of UASC to Children in Care population which recently increased from 0.07% to 0.1%.

·     The National Transfer Scheme was also mandated and has had varying success.

·      KCC negotiated an Agreement with the Home Office in 2021 for the Kent Reception and Safe Care Service operating at a maximum of 120 (although through Summer this number was exceeded to support with the high numbers of UASC).

·     The Ashford Reception Centre has 49 single rooms, with 38 single rooms at Cranbrook. In addition, KCC commissions Independent Fostering Agencies (IFA)/Semi-independent placements for the under 16 males and under 18 females. The Agreement includes the Home Office funding the costs of the Reception Centres.

·     KCC manage the support services funded by the Home Office across both Reception Centres and would assume this would be the same in an expanded model.

·     Summary points of the key service delivery expectations (pre-procurement) are set out in the associated report.

As Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, I agree to:

a) approve the delivery of additional Reception and Safe Care Centres via the procurement of the provision of premises, landlord and management services (hard and soft facilities management).

b) following a compliant process, delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services to negotiate, finalise, award and enter into the required contracts; and

c) delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education, to take other the necessary actions including but not limited to negotiating, finalising and entering into contracts or other legal agreements as required to implement this decision. relevant legal agreements such as the award of the contract, as required to implement this decision