Purpose

This business case seeks agreement to progress
phase 2 of the Children’s Home Programme to invest in the
remaining 5 (of ten) homes outlined in the original business case
(Cabinet, January 4th 2024).

Content

Recommendations:
 

1)     
Agree
to progress phase 2 of the Children’s Home Programme to
invest in the remaining 5 (of ten) homes outlined in the original
business case (Cabinet, 4 January 2024). This
includes:
 
·        
The
release of £6.968m capital expenditure budget.
 
·        
Note
the variation against the existing MTFP savings. The project is on
course to deliver above the expected savings by £1m in
2025-26, £2.5m in 2026-27 and £4m in 2026-27. This has
been built into the emerging budget for 2025-26+.
 

2)     
Agree
to delegate authority to the relevant Lead Members and Senior
Officers1  to undertake
property searches, exchange and complete on the remaining five
homes.

 

3)     
Agree
to adjusted delivery plans for phase 1 properties (financial impact
offset by acceleration of first two properties in phase
2).
 

4)     
Agree
to delegate decision-making on future membership of the South East
Regional Care Co-operative2 
to the Lead Member for Education and Children’s Services,
with the Corporate Director Children’s
Services.

 
 
1
Service Director Corporate Property and
Regeneration, Service Director Major Projects, Corporate Director
Children’s Services, Lead Member for Accessible Housing and
Resources and the Lead Member for Education and Children’s
Services.
 
2
This should be subject to the
development of a satisfactory MOU and clear benefits
case.