To receive an update in changes to the provision of youth services

12.1  Members received the report of the Director of Commissioning (copy attached to the signed minutes) which updated them on progress with the local commissioning of youth activities.

12.2  The Director of Commissioning introduced the report and advised Members that the proposed budget allocation had been reduce pro-rata as the new provision would start in September 2015 rather than April 2015. The budget retained would cover the costs of interim Positive Activities staffing and direct delivery costs.

12.3  The Director of Commissioning also advised Members that following a procurement process the Shropshire Youth Association (SYA) in partnership with Energize had been appointed as the Infrastructure Support Provider. The contract would run from 13 August 2015 to 31 March 2017, and that the role of the Infrastructure Support Provider would be to provide capacity building support to new and existing youth providers and supporting Local Joint Committees and the Community Enablement team with the local commissioning of youth activities, particularly with engagement of young people and their safeguarding and welfare.

12.4  The Director of Commissioning advised Members that a number of different approaches were being adopted by LJCs dependant on local circumstances from retaining the current provision to the transfer of responsibility for commissioning and delivery of youth activities to Shrewsbury Town Council via a formal delegation of responsibilities.

12.5  The Director of Commissioning informed members that expressions of interest had been received following the listing of some Youth Buildings for Community Asset Transfer and that interested parties had been invited to move to the next stage of the process.

12.6  The Director of Commissioning advised that a formal public consultation on youth activity was being undertaken and undertook to circulate the results to Committee Members when they were available.

12.7  The Local Commissioning Manager advised members that the first tranche of opportunities for youth provision had been advertised on the Council Website.  He agreed to circulate a link to the relevant webpage.

12.8  A Member commented that there was a potential conflict of interest for the SYA in that they could be advising the LJCs whilst assisting providers or applying to provide services themselves. The Director of Commissioning informed Members that this risk had been recognised and that appropriate safeguards would be built into the procurement process.

12.9  A Member asked what assurances could be given that youth activity would continue to be available in youth buildings following their transfer.  The Local Commissioning Manager commented that a requirement for youth provision would be built in to the transfer documentation.

12.10  A Member asked who would be responsible for the monitoring of the contracts and ensuring outcomes were achieved.  The Director of Commissioning advised that contract monitoring would be done through the Community Enablement team.

12.11  A Member asked what would happen if provision was not in place by the beginning of September.  The Local Commissioning Manager advised that strict timetable had been drawn up and that work had been done to ensure that there was no gap in provision.

12.12  The Chairman commented that the budget of £130,000 for infrastructure support costs seemed high.  The Director of Commissioning advised that this was the figure that was reached following the tendering process.

12.13  The Chair asked that the Committee be updated on progress with youth provision after the contracts had been in place for 3 months.

12.14  Resolved:

            That the Scrutiny Committee be updated on progress with youth provision after the contracts had been in place for 3 months and that the Committee receive a further update in respect of youth commissioning and the impact it has had to date in Spring 2016