Issue - meetings

That:

1)        the report and areas of concern raised by the Tyr Abad Residential Education Centre (TREC) be noted;

2)        the options outlined in Part 2 of the report, in order to facilitate a resolution to the current situation, be noted;

3)         the Council offers support in the areas set out in Part 2 of the report.

The Executive considered a report, including appendices containing exempt information, relating to the Tyr Abad Residential Education Centre (TREC).

The Deputy Executive Member for Children’s Services advised that the TREC, which provided good outdoor facilities, had been set up in the early 1970s by the head teachers of three Berkshire schools.  It was noted that the TREC was run by a trust which was financially independent and the Council had no direct involvement in the day to day running of the facility.  It did however currently employ three members of staff at the facility which meant that as employers the Council was still liable in a number of areas e.g. cases of negligence, health and safety requirements etc.  Councillor Younis drew Members’ attention to the proposals in relation to the current staff, who had been involved in discussions on the matter, as set out in the report.  The Council wanted to ensure that the services would continue as the TREC provided excellent facilities and therefore wanted to support them as much as possible whilst also limiting its liability.

Councillor Pollock wanted to ensure that there was some provision in place that would provide safeguards for the staff that were currently employed by the Council.  Councillor Younis confirmed that provisions, as outlined in the Part 2 report, would ensure that they were supported.

RESOLVED that:

1)        the report and areas of concern raised by the Tyr Abad Residential Education Centre (TREC) be noted;

2)        the options outlined in Part 2 of the report, in order to facilitate a resolution to the current situation, be noted;

3)         the Council offers support in the areas set out in Part 2 of the report.