Decision details

To authorise the Executive Director Wellbeing, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Learning to approve the purchase of properties for potential Children’s Homes as set out in the Business Plan approved in March 2020, subject to an amendment that purchase may be authorised within adjoining Local Authority areas in addition to the Southampton area as originally approved.

The project team is finding that there is a lack of suitable properties, at an acceptable price, within the Southampton City Council (SCC) administrative area. However, the team has identified suitable properties in areas such as Rownhams and Hedge End. The extension to the original delegation is required to give effect to the delivery of Children’s Homes project within the wider locality and allow the potential purchase of one or more properties such as these and their subsequent conversion to Children’s Homes.

1.  The option to purchase properties even further away from Southampton, rather than just the adjoining Local Authorities, was rejected as two aims of the project are 1: To bring children closer to Southampton, and 2: keep funds spent on the ‘homes within the local economy.

2.  The option of doing nothing will keep the restriction on area of purchase in place, thus making it less likely that the project team can locate and purchase suitable properties for conversion to Children’s Homes.