The Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Libraries and Culture considered a report by the Director of Commissioning on proposals for the future commissioning and provision of youth activities in the county from 1^st April 2015.  The Council was also dealing with the immediate pressure of reducing the number of Council run youth work sessions from May 2014 following a reduction in the number of paid youth workers via voluntary redundancy.  The Council had therefore undertaken two sets of public consultation which had concluded at the end of March 2014.  The report set out the decisions and next steps, informed and shaped by consultation feedback, that enabled the future commissioning and delivery of youth activities which placed young people at the heart of decisions which supported their personal and social development.

(a)   That the Council continues to operate the maximum number of youth work sessions possible, in areas of highest social need, until 31^st March 2015 reflecting the outcomes of the consultation on the interim model 2014/15.

(b)  That the Council undertakes further work to test new methods of local commissioning of youth activities, involving local joint committees and young people, ahead of the new model being implemented in April 2015, reflecting the outcomes of the consultation on the future commissioning model.  This second phase of testing will be evaluated.  Findings may lead to further refinement and a final model, to be agreed by the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Libraries and Culture.

(c)  That the Council seeks to procure a youth activities partner to provide infrastructure and commissioning support for local joint committees and organisation providing youth activities to ensure that the Council’s statutory responsibilities are fulfilled.  The final decision of choice of provider will be made by the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Libraries and Culture.