Issue - meetings

Report CSD14150

The Committee considered matters arising from previous meetings, its work programme and the schedule of visits.

The Chairman requested two reports for future meetings on (i) the contract with Kent Association for the Blind (KAB) and (ii) on young carers, including information about who they were caring for and what support was provided to them.

The Chairman reported that she had been very impressed by her visit to the Astley Centre, but she felt that the building was under-used. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the Astley Centre was part of the market testing process for Learning Disability Day services. Councillor Fookes commented that some clients in this group would need space at the Centre, and asked whether there was a waiting list at some day centres. Officers were not aware of any waiting lists – indeed fewer users were choosing to use these services.

The Chairman updated members on the proposal for a joint Working Group with the Education PDS Committee. This would now focus on the effectiveness of Children’s Centres and would now involve just one or two meetings. Councillors Mary Cooke and Judi Ellis had already been appointed to the Working Group by Education PDS Committee and Councillor Terence Nathan agreed to join them.

There was now a doubt about the date for the joint meeting with Education PDS Committee on 26^th February – the Chairman offered to try to clarify this.

Members discussed whether there was also a need to look again at the Tackling Troubled Families initiative.

RESOLVED that Councillor Terence Nathan be added to the membership of the Working Group on Children’s Centres.