Meeting documents

WDC Info Sheets - Social Improvement & Scrutiny
Tuesday, 16th November, 2004

Info Sheets - Social Improvement & Scrutiny 2004, 16-2004 Summer Playschemes 2004

 

 

 

     INFORMATION SHEET

 

                         SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Issue No:        16/ 2004

Date Issued:            16 November 2004

Title:                SUMMER PLAYSCHEMES 2004

Officer Contact:  Jeremy Beake, DDI HW 421858, Email: jeremy_beake@wycombe.gov.uk

 

The Summer Playschemes were very successful this year and included a continuation of the programme to support local communities to administer successful schemes.

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Playschemes were held in 10 locations during the school summer holiday this year.  Those administered locally by local community members at Lane End and Green Street were joined by a new scheme in Hilltop Community Centre which was very successful. Counting the daily places, these provided over 580 places.

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The “direct provision” schemes were held at locations spread throughout the district: the Dean Hambleden, Hughenden Village Hall,  Longwick Village Hall,  Flackwell Heath Scout and Guide HQ, John Wood Scout Centre Keep Hill High Wycombe, Marlow Bottom Village Hall,  Booker Memorial Hall.

·

The Costs to the Council of the Schemes was £6.75 per place, which represents a reduction of 73% from 2003. This was achieved as part of an attempt to cut costs through the reduction of staff numbers and number of locations. However the Playschemes were oversubscribed, and counting the daily places these provided 1316 places.

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Furthermore Children’s Services uses its capacity through the summer to support other Playschemes, examples being work with the “Take-A-Break” scheme for children with learning difficulties, Marsh Baptist Holiday Club and Bourne End Holiday Activities.

Way Forward

Children’s Services will develop more innovative partnerships to provide playschemes within communities, helping local communities apply for external funding to cover the cost of these schemes.

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The price to customers will be raised in 2005 from £9 to £12 per day (less than £3 an hour) for Wycombe District Council Schemes to bring them in line with other schemes and maintain quality standards.  

·

Children’s Services ensure that schemes meet the required standards laid down by OFSTED, while providing value for money.