This report summarises progress and next steps since the last update on changes to youth services provided for the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on 30 April 2014

40.1    The meeting received the report of the Area Commissioner (North) which updated Members on progress made with changes to youth services.

40.2    The Area Commissioner stated that a great deal of work had been carried out since his last presentation to the committee.  He advised Members that tenders for the procurement of an infrastructure support service were due in on 24 October 2014 and that it was hoped that following a full evaluation the infrastructure partner would be confirmed by mid-December. It was noted that, following the evaluation of the pilot of using local Youth Boards, it was considered that the existing network of Local Joint Committees [LJCs] could be used for local commissioning rather than creating new boards.

40.3    The Area Commissioner advised that a funding formula was being developed using 9 criteria together with an added element of rurality and that the formula should be finalised in November.

40.4    The Area Commissioner stated that he and the Director of Commissioning had met with the Positive Activities staff to discuss the plans. With the move to the commissioning of services it was hoped that many of the existing staff would be employed by the new service providers. He added that, as required under employment legislation, the formal consultation with staff would begin in November.

40.5.   The Area Commissioner advised members that a review of youth buildings was being undertaken and that currently there were no plans to sell off any of the buildings.  It was however noted that, following the review, some buildings may be transferred under community asset transfers.

40.6    The Director of Commissioning commented that the Lead Commissioner for youth provision would sit under Early Helpto ensure a joined up provision.

40.7    The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Libraries and Culture commented that it was clear that there would be more budget cuts after the next election and that the process of locality commissioning being planned could provide valuable lessons for other services.  He stated that currently there were approximately 11,000 sessions of youth work delivered in the County each year of which only 4,000 were delivered directly by the Council.  He advised that Member briefings would be held to update Councillors on the plans.

40.8    The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services commented that it was important that safeguarding issues were addressed at all stages of the process.

40.9    A Member asked what the role of the Infrastructure Partner was. The Director of Commissioning advised Members that the Infrastructure Partner would help the LJCs to identify needs and, with the commissioning process, they would also be responsible for providing support and advice on safeguarding issues, DBS checks and training.

40.10  A Member commented that amendments to the LJC Constitution would be needed and some of the LJC boundaries may need reassessing.  Several Members commented that work was being carried out on the possibility of amalgamating some of the LJC areas.

40.11  Members requested information on the funding formula as soon as possible and requested input into the criteria and expected outcomes as these would vary in different areas.

40.12  A Member queried the measures that would be put in place regarding safeguarding issues.  The Area Commissioner advised that there was a great emphasis placed on safeguarding within the proposed contract with the infrastructure provider.  The Director of Children’s Services commented that there would be a requirement within any contract that providers comply with safeguarding guidance issued by the Shropshire Safeguarding Children’s Board.

40.13  A Member asked that Town and Parish Councils be informed of the plans as soon as possible.

40.14  RESOLVED:

i)             That the Young People’s Scrutiny Committee provide feedback and comment on the needs assessment model used to allocate Council funds to Local Joint Committees as part of its Work Programme for the financial year 2015/16 and;

ii)            That the Young People’s Scrutiny Committee receives a further update on the youth activities commissioning model in Spring 2015.