Issue - meetings

This paper sets out the Government’s recent announcements from the Children, School and Families Secretary on the national play agenda and requests approval for the use of Better Play Grants for the purchase of some specific play services through service level agreements.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Agree Option 1 and award amounts for the three organisations referred to for a one year period until a full review of the commissioning process is completed and an appropriate system is adopted.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To continue funding quality play provision across the city in line with the Taking Play Forward policy recommendations without restricting opportunities to locate play funding within wider future commissioning arrangements.

Members considered a report that informed them of the Government’s recent announcements from the Children, School and Families Secretary on the national play agenda. It also requested approval for the use of Better Play Grants for the purchase of some specific play services through service level agreements.

Members considered the following options:

Option 1        In light of recent developments within the play sector, the Play Team allocate the three organisations over the £5,000 threshold a one year contract only, enabling the development of a coherent commissioning process by the Children’s Trust which will devise joined up approaches to commissioning services for children and young people.

Option 2        The Play Team look to enter into a 3-year agreement from 2008 with those organisations that clearly meet local criteria.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Agree Option 1 and award amounts for the three organisations referred to for a one year period until a full review of the commissioning process is completed and an appropriate system is adopted.¹

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To continue funding quality play provision across the city in line with the Taking Play Forward policy recommendations without restricting opportunities to locate play funding within wider future commissioning arrangements.