Decision No: CAB009 - 06/2009

Forward Plan No: CS03517

This record relates to A03 on the agenda for the Decision-Making

RECORD OF EXECUTIVE DECISION

29/06/2009  

DECISION-MAKER:

THE CABINET  

PORTFOLIO AREA:

Children's Services  

SUBJECT:

Home Access to ICT  

AUTHOR:

Andy Smith  

THE DECISION

To approve the proposals / recommendations contained in the report without modification as set out below.
Having had regard to the provisions of the Community Strategy:

(i) To accept the Home Access to ICT grant of £135,000 sourced from the DCSF/ Becta.
(ii) To add in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules an additional sum of £135,000 to the Children’s Services Capital Programme for the Home Access to ICT initiative.
(iii) To approve in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules capital expenditure in the sum of £135,000 from the Children’s Services Capital Programme for the Home Access to ICT initiative.
(iv) To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services and Learning to do anything necessary to give effect to the recommendations in this report.


 

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

1. To enable and provide financial support to the proposed implementation of the Home Access to ICT initiative.
2.
To ultimately ensure that 180 Looked After Children/ Care Leavers have access to an ICT provision within the home.
3.
To empower vulnerable groups of learners with access to technology throughout their educational development.
 

DETAILS OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

1. Not to accept the funding or provide home access to ICT. This has been rejected because across the UK there have been numerous educational studies which have closely assessed the positive impact that ICT has on learners. From these studies evidence has revealed that;
• Learners have an increased level of achievement.
• Learners have an increased level of motivation.
Parental engagement has been improved thus raising attainment.
2. The failure to utilise available funding which has been sourced via a successful external bid will be detrimental to learners. This will therefore result in the loss of an invaluable ICT resource which has been set aside for vulnerable groups of children.
 

OTHER RELEVANT MATTERS CONCERNING THE DECISION

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The decision-maker(s) did not declare a personal or prejudicial interest in the matters set out in the report  

CONFIRMED AS A TRUE RECORD:

We certify that the decision this document records was made in accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 and is a true and accurate record of that decision.

Date:

Decision Maker:

29/06/2009

The Cabinet

Proper Officer:

Judy Cordell

SCRUTINY

Note: This decision will come in to force at the expiry of 5 working days from the date of publication subject to any review under the Council's Scrutiny 'Call-In' provisions.

Call-In Period

30 June 2009 to 07 July 2009

Date of Call-in (if applicable) (this suspends implementation)

Call-in Procedure completed (if applicable)

Call-in heard by (if applicable)

Results of Call-in (if applicable)