Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval to sign off the Partnership Financial Deed to allow the contract for the construction of the Children’s Residential Assessment Unit to be awarded.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       approve the sign off of the Partnership Financial Deed to allow the contract for the construction of the Children’s Residential Assessment Unit development to be awarded, and

(b)       confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (Appendix 1 to the report) as part of its consideration.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement presented the report seeking Cabinet approval to sign off the Partnership Financial Deed to allow the contract for the construction of the Children’s Residential Assessment Unit (CRAU) to be awarded.

The CRAU had been developed in partnership with Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCU) to be located in Conwy with CCBC as Lead Partner.  The project would provide 3 purpose built buildings including an assessment unit and residential accommodation for up to 6 children and young people for a maximum length of 12 weeks.  The build was to be fully funded at a cost of £2,687,524 with Welsh Government ICF (Integrated Care Fund) and ICF grant was available for financial years 2020/21 and 2021/22.  Details of the tender had been provided and the contract would be awarded subject to sign off of the Funding Deed by CCBC and DCC.  It was envisaged that construction would commence in spring 2021 with completion expected in spring 2022.

The Interim Head of Children’s Services reported on the careful development of the model based on good practice to meet the needs of vulnerable children; it would also meet the council’s and Welsh Government priorities, including keeping children local which was proven to improve outcomes and in the long term reduce costs.  The centre would enable children to be rehabilitated quicker by working directly with families and the children, providing respite, and also having a psychological formulation.  The team had already been established, making a difference and diverting children away from long term care.  There had been excellent support from all partner agencies and also from members who formed part of the project board and would continue to provide direction and oversight.  A separate discussion was required around ongoing costs and shared responsibilities for the centre going forward but there was a real strength of partnership and commitment in that regard.

Cabinet welcomed the positive report and hard work undertaken to bring the project to fruition for the benefit of vulnerable children and their families locally.

The following issues were raised during the ensuing debate –

·         Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill reiterated that the report referred to the construction phase which was fully funded but there would be future pressures in terms of the revenue element for delivering the facility as highlighted in the report.  However in the medium to long term it would be a ‘spend to save’ initiative which would help to reduce the overspend in the service going forward and he was fully supportive of the project. He added that the capital element had been reviewed by the Strategic Investment Group and recommended to Cabinet

·         Councillor Brian Jones referred to the risk identified at section 10.4 of the report and cautioned that the acquisition of a badger license from NRW may take some time and should be kept under close review.  Councillor Meirick Davies suggested a time extension be sought from Welsh Government if necessary to guard against any delay incurred as a result.  Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts was confident in the processes followed by the council in relation to building projects with everyone working together for the best possible outcomes on site.  The intention was to build the centre and for it to be operational as soon as possible whilst following the necessary requirements and acting within the law

·         the Interim Head of Service responded to questions raised by Councillor Bobby Feeley confirming that whilst there would be some flexibility in terms of the 12 week limit the intention was to use the centre as part of a toolkit for working therapeutically with families to enable a feasible and safe return home as quickly as possible.  Not all children would need a 12 week stay and there may be a mix of home and respite at the centre but exceeding 12 weeks would reduce the capacity for other children.  So whilst there was some flexibility the ultimate goal was for the child to return home as quickly as possible.  The team at the centre may continue to work with families after the child had returned home as part of the overall process  

·         Councillor Mark Young referred to section 10.3 of the report and need to secure revenue funding for ongoing costs and how that would be progressed.  The Interim Head of Service advised that no definite funding arrangements had been confirmed and consideration would be given to both the potential for financial contributions from partners and Welsh Government grant funding

·         Councillor Rhys Thomas sat on the Fostering Panel and was very supportive of the scheme. He encouraged members to attend the Corporate Parenting Forum to learn more about the excellent work undertaken by Children’s Services.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       approve the sign off of the Partnership Financial Deed to allow the contract for the construction of the Children’s Residential Assessment Unit development to be awarded, and

(b)       confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (Appendix 1 to the report) as part of its consideration.