Agenda item

For Immediate Implementation

1.   That without any reassurances from the Youth Custody Service or Welsh Government, notice be given on the current Youth Custody Service contract as of the 15^th June 2021. This will enable further negotiations with the Youth Custody Service and Welsh Government prior to the contract expiry date of the end of October 2021.

2.   That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Social Services, Health and Housing to continue negotiations.

Members received a verbal update that the Welsh Government had asked for additional time to consider the position, so the date of notice to be given on the current contract was extended to the 15^th June 2021 as detailed below.

Decisions:

1.   That without any reassurances from the Youth Custody Service or Welsh Government, notice be given on the current Youth Custody Service contract as of the 15^th June 2021. This will enable further negotiations with the Youth Custody Service and Welsh Government prior to the contract expiry date of the end of October 2021.

2.   That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Social Services, Health and Housing to continue negotiations.

Reason for Decisions:

To ensure that Neath Port Talbot residents are not placed in a position where they may need to underwrite the costs of Hillside Secure Children’s Home.  This is especially important given that the Welsh Government have been clear that the Council cannot operate to make a profit from the resource.

Implementation of Decisions:

With the agreement of the relevant Scrutiny Chairperson the decision will be implemented immediately and therefore not subject to the 3 day call-in period.