Children's Residential Children's Home Strategy
Report of the Director of Children’s Services
(Listing Officer: A Whitrick, email: angela.whitrick@coventry.gov.uk)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Further to Minute 14 above, the Cabinet considered a private report of Interim Director of Childrens Services which set out the commercially confidential matters relating to the Residential Children’s Homes Review and Strategy 2023-2026.
RESOLVED that Cabinet:
1. Approve the Residential Children’s Homes Review and Strategy 2023-2026 appended at Appendix 1 of this report.
2. Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services (interim) following consultation with the Chief Operating Officer (section 151 officer) and the Chief Legal Officer to undertake the necessary due diligence (including the power to enter into any necessary legal agreement) required to facilitate the following:
a) Purchase land and build an additional children’s home for the purpose of accommodating four looked after children with a disability
b) Purchase land and re-build an existing short breaks children’s home (Broad Park House) for the purpose of accommodating children with disabilities and additional needs
c) Purchase and renovate two properties to open two additional children’s homes for the purpose of accommodating looked after children whose needs are best met within this type of provision
3.Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services following consultation with Chief Operating officer and Chief Legal Officer to (where required) commence all necessary procurement for works or services necessary to bring into effect the recommendations set out in 1 and 2 above.
4. Recommends that Council approve capital expenditure of up to the sum identified in the report to be met from prudential borrowing which shall be utilised solely for the delivery of the recommendations set out in 1-3 above as well as the objectives set out in the Residential Children’s Homes Review and Strategy 2023-2026 which is appended to this report.