Should the received bid not meet the mandatory procurement requirements, the Director of Children’s Services be authorised to consult on the proposed closure of The Nest Nursery, Brixham.  The consultation would propose that the Nursery closes on the 31 August 2014.

Without a successful procurement outcome the Nursery will continue to require a financial subsidy from the Children’s Services budget.  The Children’s Services budget needs to prioritise financial resources to ensure statutory functions are being met.  The direct delivery of a Nursery provision by the Local Authority is not a statutory function.

Alternative options are set out in the submitted report.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on Wednesday, 12 March 2014 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

The Nest Nursery continues to require an on-going budgetary subsidy from Children’s Services (£40k per annum).  To remove the budget subsidy the Local Authority has engaged in a tendering exercise with the intention of transferring the Nursery to an external provider.  The Council has received one bid from a potential service provider which needs further evaluation to ensure it meets the mandatory procurement requirements.

The Mayor supported the recommendations of the Council made on 27 February 2014, as set out in his decision above.

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