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There was submitted a report by the Director of Children's Services relative to a proposed increase in the hourly rate paid by the Council to Approved Funded Providers (AFPs) for early learning and childcare (ELC).
The report set out the Council's statutory duty to provide early learning and childcare places to all eligible children and gave a background to the Flexible Framework Agreement for Renfrewshire Council Early Learning and Childcare Places which allowed the Council to commission placements in private and voluntary sector nurseries and with childminders (AFPs). There was an expectation from the Scottish Government that the rate paid to AFPs for session 2022/23 be reflective of the cost to deliver and cognisant of inflation and payment of the real Living Wage.
The current rates paid to AFPs were noted as £8.50 for two to three year olds and £5.31 for three to five year olds and the process undertaken to determine a proposed increase in the rate was outlined. The proposed new hourly rate paid to AFPs for the provision of funded early learning and child care was £5.71 for three to five year olds. There was no proposal to increase the rate paid for eligible two to three year olds as Renfrewshire’s rate for this age group was one of the highest in Scotland.
Councillor Rodden, seconded by Councillor Paterson, moved:
(a) That an increase to the hourly rate paid to AFPs for the provision of funded ELC from £5.31 to £5.71 for children aged three to five years from 16 August 2022 be approved; and
(b) That the continuation of the existing hourly rate of £8.50 paid for ELC to AFPs for eligible children aged two to three years be approved.
Councillor G Graham, seconded by Councillor Smith moved as an amendment that consideration of the report be continued to a future meeting of this Policy Board to allow further evaluation of the proposed rates, including further consultation with AFPs, to take place.
On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Davidson, Grady, G Graham, Gray, Hannigan, McGonigle, McMillan and Smith.
The following members voted for the motion: Councillors Adam, Airlie-Nicolson, Provost Cameron, Councillors Audrey Doig, Hughes, Innes, Mylet, Paterson, and Rodden.
8 members having voted for the amendment and 9 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.
DECIDED:
(a) That an increase to the hourly rate paid to AFPs for the provision of funded ELC from £5.31 to £5.71 for children aged three to five years from 16 August 2022 be approved; and
(b) That the continuation of the existing hourly rate of £8.50 paid for ELC to AFPs for eligible children aged two to three years be approved.