House of Lords written question – answered at on 7 March 2011.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will reclaim capital grants in the event of any closure of a Sure Start centre.
The rules governing the disposal of capital assets funded wholly or partly from the Sure Start, early years and childcare grant (such as children's centres) and the possible invocation of clawback are set out in the capital guidance that the department has issued to all local authorities. The guidance is available on the department's website at: http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/earlylearningandchildcare.
The guidance states that local authorities are required to notify the department of any plans to dispose of capital assets. The department has advised local authorities to operate on the presumption that clawback will be enforced. However, subject to prior approval from the department, clawback may be waived or deferred where an asset is sold and the proceeds are reinvested for a similar purpose consistent with the aims of the grant.
The department will assess any instances of centre closures and determine whether the clawback of funding is appropriate on a case-by-case basis.
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