Issue details

Repurposing of Former West Green Youth Centre

The County Council has a statutory duty to provide meaningful contact between children we care for (CWCF) and those in care proceedings with family and other people important to them. The Council’s Family Time Contact Service (FTCS) meets this requirement through family time sessions from a number of locations across the county, including one in Crawley. The property used in Crawley has been identified as the best option to provide temporary accommodation for children living in two of the Council’s children’s homes – Teasel and High Trees – whilst refurbishment of these homes is underway. An alternative location for FTCS in the Crawley area has been identified at the former West Green Youth Centre.

 

In October 2021 the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People approved the launch of a procurement process to refurbish Teasel and High Trees Children’s Homes (decision CYP02 (21/22) refers). However, it is now proposed to procure the work to these 2 homes together with the work to West Green and the work on the temporary accommodation at the current FTCS hub in Crawley under a single contract. This should mitigate the risks of multiple contractors involved in 4 interdependent projects. An allocation of £1m for the relocation of FTCS in Crawley was made in the capital programme budget approved by Full Council in February 2022. £121k has already been approved to deliver the design stage. The total project cost for West Green is estimated at £888k, and the remaining funds are now requested.

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Divisions affected: Northgate & West Green;

Notice of proposed decision first published: 09/06/2022

Decision due: October 2022 by Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (Cllr Jacquie Russell)

Lead member: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (Cllr Jacquie Russell)

Contact: Patricia Martin, Senior Project Officer Email: patricia.martin@westsussex.gov.uk.

Consultation process

Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the decision maker, via the officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken

Democratic Services Contact: Wendy Saunders Tel: 033 022 22553

Decisions

Background papers

  • None