Issue - meetings

A report introducing a planning guidance document to support and guide applicants who are operating or considering operating Children’s Homes within the Melton Borough.

Cabinet:

1)    APPROVED the ‘Planning Guidance for Applicants’ - Children’s Homes document;

2)    DELEGATED to the Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services authority to make minor amendments to the guidance as required;

3)    AGREED that a proactive approach is taken to engage with local and national partners to increase awareness of the need for local context and community cohesion to be taken into consideration when considering the suitability of locations for children’s homes in local communities;

4)    NOTED that the Leader of the Council will be writing to Ofsted to express concern about their current approach and the absence of consideration regarding proportionality and concentration of children’s homes in rural communities;

5)    REQUESTED that the policy position is considered as part of the Local Plan Review process.

The Portfolio Holder for Portfolio Holder for Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services (Deputy Leader) introduced the report and moved the recommendations. The Leader seconded the motion.

The purpose of the report was to introduce a planning guidance document to support and guide applicants who are operating or considering operating Children’s Homes within the Melton Borough.

The Director for Housing and Communities provided additional introduction and explained the challenges that are faced by the Council.

During discussion the following points were noted:

·       None of the recommendations diminish the care and support that the Council wishes to offer.

·       Members noted that the case which brough the issue to the Council’s attention is unique and had no parallels with cases being dealt with by other Local Authorities.

·       The Leader thanked the Parish Council where this has been a particular issue and stated that Ofsted have a responsibility that is why he intends to send a letter to them.

·       Cabinet agreed that they are not against children’s homes, just a concentration of homes in a particular area.

Cabinet:

1)    APPROVED the ‘Planning Guidance for Applicants’ - Children’s Homes document;

2)    DELEGATED to the Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services authority to make minor amendments to the guidance as required;

3)    AGREED that a proactive approach is taken to engage with local and national partners to increase awareness of the need for local context and community cohesion to be taken into consideration when considering the suitability of locations for children’s homes in local communities;

4)    NOTED that the Leader of the Council will be writing to Ofsted to express concern about their current approach and the absence of consideration regarding proportionality and concentration of children’s homes in rural communities;

5)    REQUESTED that the policy position is considered as part of the Local Plan Review process.

Reasons for Recommendations:

Approve the ‘Planning Guidance for Applicants’ - Children’s Homes document at Appendix A.

Delegate to the Director for Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services, authority to make minor amendments to the guidance as required.

Agree that a proactive approach is taken to engage with local and national partners to increase awareness of the need for local context and community cohesion to be taken into consideration when considering the suitability of locations for children’s homes in local communities.

Note that the Leader of the Council will be writing to Ofsted to express concern about their current approach and the absence of consideration regarding proportionality and concentration of children’s homes in rural communities.

Requests that the policy position is considered as part of the Local Plan Review process.