Agenda item

(a)  That all services within the Council’s contract with Mott MacDonald Limited (Cambridge Education) be brought in-house by the Council, in line with the timetable set out at paragraph 5.9 of the report.

(b)  That arrangements for the short-term extension of the existing contract with Mott MacDonald Limited (Cambridge Education) be delegated to the Interim Director, Children’s Services in order to allow time for consultation with staff and schools on the new proposals.

(c)  That the Council and Slough Children’s Services Trust Limited (SCST) jointly explore further opportunities to improve education, early years and children’s centre services, including the potential benefits of voluntarily transferring any functions to the Trust, with a particular focus on children’s centres.

The Commissioner for Education & Children introduced a report that set out revised proposals for the future delivery of the education related functions, early years and childrens centre services currently delivered through the Council’s contract with Mott MacDonald Ltd (Cambridge Education).

The Cabinet was asked to agree that all services within the current contract with Mott MacDonald Ltd should initially revert back to the Council, providing time for the Council and Slough Children’s Services Trust (SCST) to review the best long-term options for designated service areas in partnership with other stakeholders, including schools.  The revised proposals followed the Department for Education Ministerial agreement issued on 6^th September 2016 to revoke the Second Direction, reflecting the increased Ministerial confidence in the improved working relationship between the Council and SCST.  The Cabinet welcomed the revised proposals and emphasised its full commitment to working positively and co-operatively with the Trust to deliver improvements to services for the benefit of children in Slough.

The Interim Director of Children’s Services detailed the staffing issues and timetable, with a phased transfer planned through to 1^st December 2016.  The Council had appointed a permanent Head of Education and the recruitment of a permanent Director of Children’s Services was in progress.  The Chief Executive of SCST highlighted the importance of building on the progress made in recent months with the Council and Trust working closely together.  The Cabinet sought reassurance that the Council was ready and equipped for challenge of bringing the services back in house and it was confirmed that the motivation and commitment was there from all sides.

Speaking under Rule 30, Councillors Arvind Dhaliwal, Bedi, Bains, Swindlehurst and Rasib commented on the proposals and asked a number of questions.  It was clarified that the reason for the phased approach was due to the timing of the Ministerial decision, made on 6^th September, and the practical requirements such as TUPE.  It was not possible to confirm the level of savings at this stage, however, a Steering Group had been established to lead further service transformation to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of services.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Cabinet welcomed the positive progress made in recent months to enable the services to return to the Council; agreed the recommendations as set out in the report; and thanked the Members, DfE Commissioner, Officers and the Trust for their work, particularly the Interim Director of Children’s Services who shortly be leaving the authority.

Resolved –

(a)  That all services within the Council’s contract with Mott MacDonald Limited (Cambridge Education) be brought in-house by the Council, in line with the timetable set out at paragraph 5.9 of the report.

(b)  That arrangements for the short-term extension of the existing contract with Mott MacDonald Limited (Cambridge Education) be delegated to the Interim Director, Children’s Services in order to allow time for consultation with staff and schools on the new proposals.

(c)  That the Council and Slough Children’s Services Trust Limited (SCST) jointly explore further opportunities to improve education, early years and children’s centre services, including the potential benefits of voluntarily transferring any functions to the Trust, with a particular focus on children’s centres.