Agenda item

(To receive a report by the Executive Director of Children’s Services which makes recommendations for the longer-term model and commissioning arrangements for the Holiday Activities and Food Programme in Lincolnshire from Summer 2022 onwards)

1.    That the recommended delivery model for HAF from Summer 2022 onwards be approved.

2.    That the establishment of an Open Select List (OSL) to commission third party providers to support the delivery of the HAF programme in Lincolnshire from Summer 2022 for up to at least three years, be approved.

3.    That the direct award of grants to third party providers who apply and meet the criteria via the OSL be approved.

4.    That the direct award of grants to schools and academies, early years settings and District Councils that operate leisure facilities that apply and meet the criteria from Summer 2022 and during the years where HAF grant funding is made available from the Government, be approved.

5.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, Community Safety and Procurement, to take all decisions necessary, where required, in relation to the conducting the OSL and the awarding and entering into grants.

The Executive received a report which detailed the pilot programme of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme which was funded by Government and rolled out to all upper unitary authorities in 2021.  Through the Spending Review, the Government confirmed that the HAF programme would be funded for at least a further three years.  The report set out recommendations for the longer-term model and commissioning arrangements for the HAF Programme in Lincolnshire from Summer 2022 onwards.

The Head of Service – Children’s Strategic Commissioning was in attendance and presented the report to the Executive advising that the Council’s grant allocation for the 2022/23 financial year was £2,638,890.  It was highlighted that providers would need to apply to the County Council for a grant, and there would be criteria which would apply.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board presented the comments of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee following its consideration of this item at its meeting on 22 April 2022.  Some of the main points highlighted by the Committee included the importance of the recognition on the focus on children entitled to free school meals, and there was a need to ensure that the most disadvantaged children would benefit from this programme.  It was expected that that not all of those eligible would take up the offer.  It was suggested that all councillors should be briefed on the provision that was available in their area.  The proposal was welcomed unanimously.

During discussion by the Executive, the following was noted:

·       There were now more providers coming on stream, so there should be more places around the county for the next school holiday.

·       The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee had requested that information about where this programme could be accessed was shared with all councillors.

·       Local providers were encouraged to come forward to apply for the programme and local councillors to visit those providers to get a feel for what was being provided in their local area.

·       It was acknowledged that improvements needed to be made to existing booking system to provide information on where places were available, and the new booking system would make it easier to book, as well as enabling people to check their eligibility for the programme

·       It was commented that the Programme had been well advertised in one area, however, the booking options needed to be more visible.  It was suggested whether schools would be able to issue some information on this a few weeks before the end of the summer term.  It was noted that the summer activities programme would be shared in advance and work with the Communications Team would also take place.

·       It was queried how it would be ensured that those people/families who would benefit most from this programme would be able to find out about it.  It was noted that the roles of schools would be pivotal, so they would be able to encourage families to attend, however, it was acknowledged that some parents would still choose not to participate.  Early help staff and social workers would also encourage parents to take up this offer as well.

·       It was noted that the previous programme of activities had been well received, but that there had been issues with the website, and it had appeared that not all places had been taken up.  It was queried whether there had been any disparity within the county.  The issues with the website were acknowledged and it was explained that the initial website had been stood up quickly, and the new website would make it much easier for people to see what was available in their area.  The new programme would take a targeted approach to where those eligible families lived.  The procurement process allowed for flexibility to meet local demand, rather than being a blanket approach.

·       It was confirmed that having places available for parents to pay was something that providers could have.  There were already providers delivering programmes regardless of eligibility.  It was suggested that having paid for places available may help to normalise it.

RESOLVED

1.    That the recommended delivery model for HAF from Summer 2022 onwards be approved.

2.    That the establishment of an Open Select List (OSL) to commission third party providers to support the delivery of the HAF programme in Lincolnshire from Summer 2022 for up to at least three years, be approved.

3.    That the direct award of grants to third party providers who apply and meet the criteria via the OSL be approved.

4.    That the direct award of grants to schools and academies, early years settings and District Councils that operate leisure facilities that apply and meet the criteria from Summer 2022 and during the years where HAF grant funding is made available from the Government, be approved.

5.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, Community Safety and Procurement, to take all decisions necessary, where required, in relation to the conducting the OSL and the awarding and entering into grants.