James Goudie KC appeared for Buckinghamshire County Council who have succeeded in having dismissed a judicial review challenge to their Cabinet decision to close as such 19 of their 35 Children’s Centres. Mrs Justice Andrews was satisfied that the Council had carried out a fair, frank and lawful Consultation, with nothing misleading and no closed mind, before it made the Decision, and taken responses properly into account.
She was also satisfied that the Council had complied with all its relevant statutory duties. These included the Public Sector Equality Duty, the “sufficiency duty” under Section 5A of the Childcare Act 2006, other duties under that Act, and the “have regard” duty under Section 11 of the Childcare Act 2004. Moreover, the Council had expressly followed statutory Guidance.
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James was instructed by Sarah Wilson of HB Public Law.
