Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise, which sought approval to commence works on the capital expenditure associated with the Two Year Old Early Years Entitlement in Halton.

The Board was advised that since 2009, local authorities had received funding to provide targeted free entitlement to the most vulnerable two year olds which met strict criteria. In 2011/12, there was an increase in expansion in the entitlement programme, whereby Halton would receive sufficient funding to deliver entitlement to an increased number of recipients.

It was reported that Halton was allocated £355,915 in funding to support the expansion of place capacity. Applications received through the Grant Allocation process were considered by the Capital Funding Panel on 1 October 2013. Details of those applications approved in principle were contained in the report, together with an explanation of the timescales involved in the payment arrangements. It was noted that all capital work would be completed by August 2014.

Reason(s) For Decision

The Local Authority was statutorily required to have sufficient provision of 2 year old free entitlement places.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Implementation Date

Completion of works by August 2014 would allow for the additional places created to be used from September 2014.

RESOLVED: That Executive Board

1)    approve the capital expenditure detailed in the report, to assist with the expansion of the Two Year Old Early Years Entitlement in Halton; and

2)    agree to delegate the approval of any further bids received for Two Year Old capital funding to the Capital Funding Panel comprising appropriate members of the Children & Enterprise Directorate and Council’s Finance Department (as detailed in paragraph 3.3 of the report), in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Children, Young People and Families.