Council votes against the removal of 150 places from PVI sector
Councillors in Falkirk have voted for an amendment that dismissed all children’s services cuts on the grounds of inadequate Equality Poverty and Impact Assessment which could potentially be challenged on a legal basis.
The result of this vote means the plan to remove 150 funded children from PVI nurseries to council nurseries will not happen. Also the plan to not fund children in PVI nurseries for future 1140-hour childcare places will not take place.
An alternative proposal from independent councillor Laura Murtagh was voted through at Falkirk’s full council meeting in Grangemouth. In a close vote, the proposals were rejected by councillors who voted instead to raise council tax by 15.6%.
Speaking about the impact of children and families on the planned cuts, Laura Murtagh said: “The lack of consultation, the fact that every one of the service savings is from children services, but there is not one here amongst them, not one child or family consulted.”
A deputation led by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland opposed the proposals ahead of the vote, describing the cost-saving measures as an “appalling plan”.
Purnima Tanuku CBE, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland said: “We are very pleased to see the decision made by Falkirk councillors with regard to cutting the places available to parents in partner nurseries. This is a sensible decision that recognises the important role that private and third sector nurseries play in delivering funded early learning and childcare.
“Our nursery members in Falkirk and the team from NDNA Scotland have worked tirelessly, alongside parent organisations like Pregnant then Screwed, to challenge this rushed proposal. It is a testament to the nurseries and parents who voiced their opposition in the meeting and ahead of the debate that their views were heard loud and clear.
“These nurseries are an integral and vital part of infrastructure in Scotland and must be allowed to continue delivering high quality early learning and childcare throughout the year.
“We know that local authorities in Scotland face challenging decisions ahead but dictating to parents where funded ELC places must be taken up and risking the viability of high-quality nurseries cannot be said to be in line with the principles of parental choice and flexibility enshrined in the 1140 hour offer. When we all work together to get this policy right communities see the benefits of tackling child poverty, boosting children’s early development and the economic returns from parents being able to work.”
Wellside Kindergarten owner Susan Hill who spoke at the meeting commented: “We know the Council had difficult decisions to make however it should not be at the expense of parental choice and the right to have work life balance.
“The Scottish Government Funding Following the Child agenda has never changed since the onset and the local authorities must apply that guidance in a fair manner cross all early years centres whether they are public, private or third sector.
“It should be provider neutral however we are pleased that common sense prevailed at the last minute, and we can now give reassurance to the families across Falkirk that this proposal would have affected”
- Scotland
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