Agenda item

To consider the decisions made by the Cabinet at their meeting held on 9 October 2014 in relation to the above item, which has been called in firstly by Councillors Brooks, Douglas and Doughty and secondly by Councillors Aspden, D’Agorne and Runciman in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.  A cover report is attached setting out the reasons for the call-in and the remit and powers of the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee (Calling-In) in relation to the call-in, together with the original report and the decisions of Cabinet.

Members received a report which asked them to consider the decisions made by the Cabinet, at their meeting held on 9 October 2014, in relation to the Children’s Services, Education and Skills Transformation Programme. This included approval of the Business Cases for Early Years, Services to Young People and the School Improvement and Skills Service but in particular the proposals for the services run from Castlegate.

Details of the Cabinet’s decision were attached at Annex A to the report and the original report to the Cabinet meeting, attached at Annex B.

The original decision had firstly been called in by Councillors Brooks, Douglas and Doughty on the following grounds:

·        The current location of Castlegate is far less imposing than for example West Offices and the move would therefore be worse for young and especially disengaged people

·        It is at odds with the Health & Wellbeing Strategy & Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and their emhphasis on the greater need for counselling as a preventative service.

·        It flies in the face of the government parity of esteem for mental health services.

·        There has been inadequate consultation with the most affected groups.

·        The budgetary savings may not materialise if, as a result of the change of location, the currant uptake of the service is not maintained and the number of Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETS) rises.

Secondly the decision had been called in by Councillors Aspden, D’Agorne and Runciman who were opposed to the decision to close Castlegate and re-locate the remaining services to West Offices for the following reasons:

·        When Castlegate opened 2007, it brought together a number of agencies and different funding streams to offer a comprehensive support service for young people in a user-friendly, accessible and flexible location.

·        Through offering effective support and advice the centre has an outstanding track-record of helping keep young people safe, healthy, off drugs, out of the criminal justice system, in suitable accommodation and in work.

·        This effective early-intervention is crucial in many areas, including mental health where half of all diagnosable conditions start by the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 21. 

·        The closure of Castlegate, cuts in services, and the re-location of remaining services to West Offices jeopardises all this work and abandons the commitment to effective early-intervention.

·        West Offices – a large, public and corporate building – is not a suitable location for the services which will remain.

·        This decision has been taken with little consultation or prior notice and without properly considering alternatives.

·        We would urge Cabinet to withdraw the proposal and, at the very least, delay the closure of Castlegate in order to ensure that other options, such as suitable co-location with another service, can be considered.

The Chair referred to the following additional information which had been circulated at the meeting:

·     Email from Dr Louise Barker, Mental Health clinical lead for the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group, expressing her concern regarding the closure of Castlegate. In particular in relation to the knock on effects on health services, particularly primary care and psychological therapies, when there were already capacity problems.

·     Statement from Heather McKenzie, on behalf of UNISON, confirming their support for a review being taken of the decision and requesting proper consultation with service users, staff and other stakeholders.

Councillor Doughty addressed the meeting on behalf of the first group of Calling In members. He confirmed their principle concern related to the suitability of the alternative venue and young people’s access to services. He highlighted the need for early intervention and questioned how the proposed changes would support the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy.  He also expressed concern at a reference, in the Fairfax House newsletter, to a bid by the York Civic Trust to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the purpose of acquiring Castlegate, the adjacent property. To ensure transparency he requested the Committee recommend that further consideration of the proposals be deferred to allow full consultation with all concerned and to examine alternative venues for the service.

Councillor Reid, addressed the meeting on behalf of the second group of Calling In members. She referred to the high level of concern raised by professionals, residents and users of the Castlegate services and to the value everyone put on the services they provided. She highlighted the benefits of early intervention work saving money in the long term. She also asked members to support Option b and recommend withdrawal of the proposed changes in order to allow Officers to bring forward alternative proposals and funding.

Councillor Williams, as Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, confirmed that there had been no discussions although discussions were held about asset transfers with interested parties all the time, there had been no deal with Fairfax House regarding the sale of the Castlegate premises. He highlighted the need for the authority to make £23m savings over the next few years and of the need to ensure that any services provided aligned more closely with the public’s requirements. He confirmed that the services would not stop with the move to West Offices, just a service relocation and that works would be undertaken to ensure that access was more user friendly. However, in view of the concerns raised, he confirmed that Cabinet would re-examine the proposals, undertake further consultation but asking members to note that alternative budget savings would have to be made.

Councillor Looker, as Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People, confirmed that, with the removal of budgets, the changes proposed for Castlegate had not been an easy decision. She referred to additional work which would be carried out jointly between the Clinical Commissioning Group and Adult Mental Health services to support young people. She also asked Members to note that, if West Offices was difficult to access for vulnerable young people then this would also apply to vulnerable adults, this was therefore an opportunity to improve accessibility for all.

The Director of Children’s Services, Education and Skills spoke to clarify details of the proposals for the three interlinked services and the financial costs. He confirmed that the authority were required to provide the Connexions service for 13-19 year olds and for those young people not in education, employment or training (NEET’s) together with those at risk of becoming NEET’s, no changes were proposed to these services. No changes were also proposed to the Counselling services for 16-25 year olds. Changes would however impact on the generic advice provided for the 19 to 25 year old group, this service would be relocated to West Offices and included support in respect of housing, housing benefit, education and health needs. He confirmed that alternative buildings around the city had been investigated however, none had been adequate for the provision. West Offices would, he confirmed be adapted to ensure that it was accessible and welcoming to all.

All Members acknowledged the range of issues raised and thanked all the earlier speakers for their comments and input into the meeting.

Councillor Potter then moved and Councillor Horton seconded, that Option b be approved and that the decision be referred back to Cabinet for reconsideration together with suggestions for alternative funding.

Following further discussion, Councillor Aspden confirmed his support for the reference back, subject to the addition of the following specific recommendation, ‘that Cabinet withdraw the proposals and delay the closure of Castlegate in order to allow time for Officer’s to bring forward a report detailing all options, including a suitable location and alternative funding options and for these options to be properly considered and consulted upon.’ 

It was then

Resolved:           That Option B be approved and that the decision of Cabinet be referred back with a recommendation that Cabinet withdraws the proposals and delays the closure of Castlegate in order to allow time for Officer's to bring forward a report detailing all options, including a suitable location and alternative funding options and for these options to be properly considered and consulted upon.

Reason:              In accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Constitution.

[As amended by CSMC (Calling-In) on 19 January 2015]