The Family Services Select Committee meeting included the potential transfer of responsibility for the provision of affordable childcare at two nurseries to local primary schools, and a report on the proposed budget for 2025/26. The Committee was also asked to review its work programme.

Budget Proposals 2025/26

The most significant item on the agenda was the Children’s Services budget for 2025/26.

The report noted the challenging financial landscape for Children’s Services and highlighted the 85% rise in child protection plans in the borough. It was scheduled to be discussed that there would be growth in the budget to reflect demographic pressures, including an estimated increase in the number of looked after children, and that there would be a reduction in the Dedicated Schools Grant. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is a grant that local authorities receive from the government to fund schools in their area.

Savings were also proposed, with the report saying:

The key savings include the creation of an integrated Children with Disabilities Service (£231,000) a reduction in the cost of SEN Transport through providing more local school places for children with SEN and increasing independent travel training (£300,000) and the staffing and building maintenance associated with Notting Hill Library (£167,000).

The report also noted that a saving of £100,000 was proposed to be delivered through:

A cross-council review of employment and skills which aims to improve alignment and efficiency across council services.

The report went on to say:

It seeks to streamline the delivery of employment and skills support by focusing on reducing duplication and creating a more effective organisational structure. The review also seeks to address inequalities and promote inclusivity, ensuring that support is targeted to those most in need and creates greater opportunities.

Work Programme Report

The Committee was scheduled to discuss whether to add online safety as a specific item on its work programme.

It was also set to be asked to agree its future work programme, including scrutiny of the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership's annual report and Ofsted Inspection Report at its next meeting. The Committee was also asked to consider a request that the performance information it scrutinises should include data on adoption rates.

Finally, the Committee was asked to note that a map showing the location of services for young people aged 0-18 would be circulated to it for comment.

Transfer responsibility to local primary schools (and reduce overheads) for delivering affordable childcare at two in-house north Kensington day nurseries

The meeting documentation included a proposal to transfer responsibility for the provision of affordable childcare at two nurseries to local primary schools, with the aim of saving the council £260,000 over four years.