Agenda item

Members asked the following questions on the Play Development Service Report Card 2016-2017 as detailed in the circulated report.

 

·        In the report it states that the service is funded from the Welsh Government Families First funding.  Does this mean that the service could be lost if the changes to funding proposed by the Welsh Government are implemented?

 

Officers explained that the current play service could be at risk if the proposed funding changes were implemented by the Welsh Government.  Discussions are on-going with Officers and Welsh Government on the proposals and the implications.

 

·        What was the reason for three team members leaving and did they complete exit questionnaires?

 

Officers said that the employees did complete exit questionnaires which stated that the reason for leaving was for further career opportunities and progression.

 

·        Has there been any redundancies in the service?

 

It was explained that 3 posts became vacant in the early part of 2016 but were filled by April 2016 and there have been no redundancies within the service.

 

·        In the report it states there was a 13% cut in the budget.  What effect did this reduction have on the service?

 

Officers said that the grant from the Welsh Government was reduced by 13% but this was shortfall was made up by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council so there was no impact on the service.

 

·        Will there be further reductions in the grant from the Welsh Government?

 

Officers explained that at the grant has continued at a 13% reduction from the Welsh Government with the Council evaluating whether the shortfall can be made up from future Corporate budgets.

 

·        Are there any specific qualifications needed by the team?

 

Officers said that Play Working or Child development qualifications are needed.

 

·        Is the service available in Port Talbot or only in Communities First areas in Neath?

 

Officers explained that the funding is provided through the Families First grant which is available throughout Neath Port Talbot.

 

·        In the light of the Welsh Governments aim to increase the number of people that speak Welsh by 2050. Are there any Welsh Speakers within the service?

 

There is a fluent welsh speaker in the team which Officers want to sustain.

 

·        Have any enquiries been made to find out if the service could access any external funding eg. Community Councils?

 

Officers are currently looking at other sources of funding to help support the service.

 

·        Why on the score cards is the Comparative Performance data not available?

 

This is a new measure and will be available in future.

 

Following Scrutiny, the report was noted.