Agenda item

This paper seeks decision on applications from early years and childcare providers in the Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) sector from the local authority’s allocation of the “Quality and Access for All Young Children Capital Grant”.  The applications have been reviewed by a consultative panel established for this purpose.

RESOLVED:(i)         That the recommendations for the third tranche of bids for

the Quality and Access Early Years Capital Grant Allocation as set out in the annexes be accepted as follows:

·        Annex E:  approved

·        Annex F:  accepted in principle but require additional information to be submitted to officers for final approval

·        Annex G:  approved for 2010-11

·        Annex H:  approved for referral to the Executive, being schemes over £50,000

·        Annex I:  do not meet the criteria of the fund and to be declined at this stage

(ii)               That approval be given for the Early Years and Children’s Centre Service to bulk purchase certain items under £2,500 and distribute them directly to setting.

(iii)             That the Executive Member agreed that the two further full-scale bidding rounds that were originally envisaged would no longer be required, but that a further small round may be considered in the New Year to use up any unspent contingency monies and any other funds that may become available. An update on any unspent contingency monies was to be provided to the Executive Member in the New Year.

REASONS:            (i)            To enable the further development of early years

provision in York, in accordance with government guidelines.

(ii)               To obtain economies of scale.

(iii)             To manage the fund within the available budgets for the

three financial years 2008-09, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.

The Executive Member considered a report that sought decisions on applications from early years and childcare providers in the Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) sector from the local authority’s allocation of the “Quality and Access for All Young Children Capital Grant”.  The applications had been reviewed by a consultative panel established for this purpose.

The Executive Member asked officers if the change in VAT rate that was due to come into effect in January 2010, would have an impact on the bids.  Officers explained that it may have an impact but that the increase of 2½% could be met from the contingency funding if necessary. 

Clarification was sought as to how the remaining contingency would be used.  Officers explained that although it had originally been intended that there would be a further round of bidding, the quality of the bids that had been received meant that this was not now necessary.  It may, however, be possible to invite further bids to use any contingency funds that remained once the third tranche had been allocated.

The Executive Member asked if officers were working with the providers who had submitted bids that were recommended for approval in principle but which required additional information.  Officers confirmed that this was the case and that a timescale would be set within which this work was completed.

Officers were thanked for the work that they were carrying out in respect of the bids.

RESOLVED:(i)         That the recommendations for the third tranche of bids for

the Quality and Access Early Years Capital Grant Allocation as set out in the annexes be accepted as follows¹:

·        Annex E:  approved

·        Annex F:  accepted in principle but require additional information to be submitted to officers for final approval

·        Annex G:  approved for 2010-11

·        Annex H:  approved for referral to the Executive, being schemes over £50,000

·        Annex I:  do not meet the criteria of the fund and to be declined at this stage

(ii)               That approval be given for the Early Years and Children’s Centre Service to bulk purchase certain items under £2,500 and distribute them directly to settings.

(iii)             That the Executive Member agreed that the two further full-scale bidding rounds that were originally envisaged would no longer be required, but that a further small round may be considered in the New Year to use up any unspent contingency monies and any other funds that may become available. An update on any unspent contingency monies was to be provided to the Executive Member in the New Year².

REASONS:            (i)            To enable the further development of early years

provision in York, in accordance with government guidelines.

(ii)               To obtain economies of scale.

(iii)             To manage the fund within the available budgets for the

three financial years 2008-09, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.