Decision

RESOLVED:

Mayor and Cabinet

•         Noted that the recommendations contained in this report supersede the decision of Mayor and Cabinet taken on 18th September 2024 insofar as it relates to the previously approved three-home delivery model.

•         Approved the investment, refurbishment and delivery of a 5–6 bed in house, council-run children’s home at 200 Kirkdale, Sydenham.

•         Noted the additional £479,000 capital budget requirement, bringing the initial capital requirement for the scheme to £1.68m as already included within the capital budget approved by Full Council in July 2026.

• The use of the £800,000 Department for Education capital grant already secured for the Kirkdale scheme;

• The use of the £400,000 capital receipt already identified.

•         Noted that the financial case is based on substituting high-cost external residential placements with in-house provision.

•         Agreed that any early cost savings will first be used to repay the additional capital investment, referred to above, of £479,000 and that any further savings will be transferred to an earmarked reserve to support ongoing capital, lifecycle and maintenance costs.

•         Noted that actual operational costs will likely differ from those modelled and as is the case with all council owned properties further financial support may be required in later years, (outside the period modelled).

•         Agreed that 200 Kirkdale will operate as an in-house, council-run children’s home, with the Council retaining direct responsibility for the quality, culture, staffing, admissions, safeguarding and regulatory operation of the home.

•         Delegated authority to the Executive Director for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, the Director of Law and Corporate Governance and the Section 151 Officer, to finalise the detailed implementation arrangements required to mobilise the agreed in-house operating model. This includes finalising the staffing establishment, recruitment timetable, job descriptions, rota model, training and induction plan, operating policies, Ofsted registration materials, pre-opening quality assurance, refurbishment scope and programme, contractual, property and grant arrangements, provided that all expenditure remains within the approved capital envelope and there are no material changes to the approved scope or in-house operating model. Any material variation shall be referred back to Mayor and Cabinet.