Agenda item

Report of the Scrutiny Manager, detailing the Call-In of Executive Decision 24/25 46237-Startpoint Sholing Day Nursery.

Councillor Winning – Cabinet Member for Children and Learning, Clodagh Freeston – Head of Education Services and Darrin Hunter – Service Manager for Early Years were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

Members of the public were also in attendance, including Startpoint Sholing Day Nursery employees and trade union representatives, and with the consent of the Chair a number addressed the meeting.

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Councillor Winning provided an introduction and overview in relation to the decision taken by Cabinet on 26 November 2024 to approve the closure of Startpoint Sholing Day Nursery with immediate effect.

The Committee then discussed the following elements of the call-In in further detail as below:

• Concern that the decision does not reflect the current and future demand for nursery places in Southampton as the population of the city continues to grow.

The Committee raised concerns around the availability of nursery places within specific locations of the city. Councillor Winning provided assurances that there were sufficient spaces available across all areas in Southampton and through regular analysis and engagement with the sector ongoing sufficiency in places would be assured.

• The decision ignores the overwhelming opposition to the proposed closure identified in the consultation.

Councillor Winning provided an overview of the consultation in relation to the timeline, content and responses received. The Committee questioned the communication strategy and overall reach of the consultation to ensure the expected level of response was achieved. Darrin Hunter provided specific information relating to the communication strategy, responses received and how the information was analysed. Councillor Winning in summarising the responses acknowledged the opposition to the closure but noted that no new or credible alternative operating models or solutions had been identified or suggested.

• There has been inadequate consideration of the rescue plan put forward to restructure the financial position of Startpoint Sholing Day Nursery. 

Councillor Winning set out the current financial position and further details of the alternative operating and finance models that had been investigated as an alternative to closure. Councillor Winning confirmed that to date no alternative models or restructure plans had been identified that would enable the setting to break even financially. The Committee discussed this at length, seeking to understand the alternative funding options explored. 

The Committee then moved to a formal vote.

RESOLVED that

To advise the Decision Maker that the Scrutiny Committee does not recommend that the decision be reconsidered and that it can therefore be implemented without delay.