FOI Request - Early Years Budgets

Request 101003699530

1. Any emails from Early Years Service Manager sent between 06/2024 and now, that relates to early years budgets, specifically plans around opening hours in year round nurseries.

2. Details of when Moray Council planned to inform service users of the proposed changes to nurseries opening hours.

3. Details on how Moray Council "regularly monitor the use of extended hours outside term time" - how this information is collected, evaluated, and any metrics used to establish whether a setting is at full utilization.

4. Confirmation on whether there will be an official public consultation on the early years change management plan for reduction of nursery opening hours, and whether early years service manager Hazel Sly said "that there will be a public consultation regarding the changes. It won't make a difference - they’re going to happen"

Response 12-02-2025

1. The information requested is exempt under Section 27 (1) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002- Information intended for future publication - and Section 30 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs – free and frank provision of advice. The public interest test has been considered: the Council believes that protecting the working relationship between staff, Providers and the Council means that these living documents should not be released, as releasing this type of information before Policy has been confirmed would negatively impact the Providers we are liaising with, families who use affected facilities and Council budgets. The intention would be to publish the outcome, through standard Council processes.

2. The public consultation closed on 10th February, then a report will be written for committee. The outcome of that is anticipated to be reported after that committee has reviewed the report (anticipated to be late February).

3. Not held. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held. Nonetheless, we confirm that we have done service specific collection around attendance rates.

4. Yes, the public consultation closed 10th February