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Children and Families Committee - Monday, 29th April, 2024 2.00 pm

April 29, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting
AI Generated

Summary

The council meeting focused on several key issues, including the allocation of the Household Support Fund, changes to children's center services, and the assessment of walking routes for school children. The meeting saw detailed discussions, proposals, and amendments, leading to decisions that could impact community services and budget allocations.

  1. Household Support Fund Allocation:

    • Decision: To adopt a more targeted approach in distributing the Household Support Fund, focusing on transformational support rather than broad disbursements.
    • Arguments: Proponents argued this approach would provide more meaningful, long-term assistance, while opponents worried about the immediate breadth of support and transparency.
    • Implications: This decision aims to enhance the impact of the fund by addressing specific needs that could change beneficiaries' circumstances sustainably.
  2. Changes to Children's Center Services:

    • Decision: To proceed with the consultation for repurposing children's centers into family hubs.
    • Arguments: Supporters believed that transforming these centers into family hubs would better meet community needs. Critics expressed concerns about accessibility and the adequacy of consultation.
    • Implications: The change is intended to optimize resource use and improve service delivery, though it raised concerns about community access and the potential loss of familiar services.
  3. Walking Routes for School Children:

    • Decision: To continue the assessment of walking routes to schools to determine their safety.
    • Arguments: There was a push for ensuring that all routes assessed are safe for children, with some council members emphasizing the need for thoroughness and caution in route approval.
    • Implications: This ongoing assessment aims to ensure child safety and could lead to infrastructure changes to improve hazardous routes.

Interesting Occurrence:

  • The meeting had a significant focus on community feedback and the implications of council decisions on local services, highlighting the council's cautious approach to changes that directly affect residents' daily lives.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Carol Bulman
Councillor Carol Bulman  Labour and Co-Operative •  Middlewich
Profile image for Councillor Becky Posnett
Councillor Becky Posnett  Conservative •  Bunbury
Profile image for Councillor George Hayes
Councillor George Hayes  Conservative •  Congleton West
Profile image for Councillor Michael Beanland
Councillor Michael Beanland  Chair of Audit and Governance Committee •  Conservative •  Poynton West and Adlington
Profile image for Councillor John Bird
Councillor John Bird  Independent •  Middlewich
Profile image for Councillor Lata Anderson
Councillor Lata Anderson  Vice Chair of Finance Sub Committee; Public Transport Champion •  Independent •  Wilmslow Dean Row
Profile image for Councillor Dawn Clark
Councillor Dawn Clark  Chair of Finance Sub Committee; Mental Health Champion •  Labour •  Crewe South
Profile image for Councillor Emma Gilman
Councillor Emma Gilman  Vice Chair of Children and Families Committee •  Independent •  Macclesfield Tytherington
Profile image for Councillor Brian Puddicombe
Councillor Brian Puddicombe  Chair of Strategic Planning Board •  Labour •  Macclesfield South
Profile image for Councillor Jos Saunders
Councillor Jos Saunders  Conservative •  Poynton East and Pott Shrigley
Profile image for Councillor Geoff Smith
Councillor Geoff Smith  Care Leavers Champion •  Labour •  Nantwich South and Stapeley
Profile image for Councillor Sarah Bennett-Wake
Councillor Sarah Bennett-Wake  Labour •  Macclesfield Hurdsfield
Profile image for Councillor Rachel Bailey
Councillor Rachel Bailey  Conservative •  Audlem
Profile image for Councillor Reg Kain
Councillor Reg Kain  Non-Grouped •  Alsager

Meeting Documents