To consider the final report from the Task and Finish Group on the Future Commissioning of Youth Activities.

RESOLVED:

              i.        That detailed proposals be commented on and confirmed for a revised “funding formula” and Local Joint Committee funding allocations in support of targeted geographical youth activity provision from 2018/19 onwards; and to confirm that a public consultation is undertaken on the new funding proposals.

             ii.        That authority be delegated to the Director of Place and Enterprise in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People to finalise the public consultation before a report is brought back to Cabinet with final recommendations.

           iii.        That the intention to work with a broad range of interested partners over the next 18 months to develop an integrated approach to the provision of universal and targeted youth activities within the context of a wider review of early help provision be noted.

           iv.        That the work carried out by the Task and Finish Group and reported at the Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on the 28^th June 2017 be acknowledged.

The Chairman of the Task and Finish Group on the future commissioning of youth activities presented the report from the Group and drew attention to the key recommendations that had been subsequently supported by the former Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on 28 June 2017.  The proposals were in support of geographically targeted youth funding provision from April 2018 based on local need and a reduction in the number of Local Joint Committee areas to receive funding with the focus being on the main market towns in the county. 

Several Members spoke on this issue and raised numerous concerns including:

·         The isolation of young people living in rural areas

·         Mental health of young people

·         The increasing numbers of young people within the SEND grouping who were being transported long distances in order to benefit from provision

·         The loss of the ‘rurality’ aspect considered a retrograde step. 

·         Historically youth funding has attracted match funding

·         Rural areas do not have the capacity to fund raise as their urban counterparts

·         The rigorous regime for checking volunteers – this may be a disincentive

·         Small market towns need youth funding provision; the young people are the future.

·         Even spread of funding across the market towns of the county

·         The positive impact of the youth service on reducing crime and ASB should not be underestimated

After having heard the comments made, a Member stressed the key point was the massive reduction in the funding of youth activities.  He stated that the whole debate illustrated how the Council was dealing with its funding reduction, still endorsing austerity and denying services to those in need and vulnerable within society.  Responding, the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People urged everyone with a view to take part in the public consultation and put forward an alternative course of action.  He stated that significant budget cuts were inevitable but drew attention to the transitional arrangements that should ease the situation.  The Leader added that the Council’s Financial Strategy illustrated the severity of the Council’s situation and the difficult decisions that would have to be made in the coming months; there would be no more money available, decisions would have to be made on how to spend the money available.

RESOLVED:

              i.        That detailed proposals be commented on and confirmed for a revised “funding formula” and Local Joint Committee funding allocations in support of targeted geographical youth activity provision from 2018/19 onwards; and to confirm that a public consultation is undertaken on the new funding proposals.

             ii.        That authority be delegated to the Director of Place and Enterprise in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People to finalise the public consultation before a report is brought back to Cabinet with final recommendations.

           iii.        That the intention to work with a broad range of interested partners over the next 18 months to develop an integrated approach to the provision of universal and targeted youth activities within the context of a wider review of early help provision be noted.

           iv.        That the work carried out by the Task and Finish Group and reported at the Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on the 28^th June 2017 be acknowledged.