Issue - meetings

To submit a joint report by the Head of Learning, the Head of Children and Families, and the Head of Housing Services.

It was resolved to approve the Children and Communities Draft Plan for 2019-20.

The joint report of the Head of Learning, Head of Children and Families’ Services and the Head of Housing Services incorporating the Children and Communities Draft Plan 2019/20 was presented for the Executive’s approval.

The Supporting Families Unit Manager reported that as from April, 2019 Welsh Government will be combining the 7 individual grants listed in the report under the Children and Communities Grant Programme. Whilst each programme continues to plan, and to report independently to the Welsh Government, in accordance with the new Flexible Funding initiative, the Authority now has to submit one grant application for these grants. The 2019/20 financial year is seen as a transition year with further work being undertaken to map and align services to improve customer focus and outcomes. The Executive’s approval is sought for the 2019-2020 Plan with a view to then returning with a plan for 2020 onwards which will see grant programmes better align and target specific groups/ provide certain services in accordance with local demographics.

The Executive noted that the Authority has to be alert to any reduction in funding as a result of the amalgamation of the 7 individual grants.

It was resolved to approve the Children and Communities Draft Plan for 2019-20.