MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 10 DECEMBER COMMENCING AT 9.45 AM

Present :

Mrs J L Wareham (Chairman), Mrs B D Clough,  Mr J F Howe, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mr R C Richards

Co-opted :

Sister Patricia, Ms M Wilson

Apologies :

Archdeacon M Banting, Mr C R Hancock, Mr N Mitchell, Mr K Pearson

Spokesperson :

Mr P G Harris

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2001 be confirmed.

16. REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

(a) Youth and Community Service

The Principal Youth and Community Officer, Mr G Weech, supported by his staff gave a presentation on the work of the Youth and Community Service. This also touched upon the proposed Best Value Review to be undertaken during 2002 and details contained within the Service Plan.

The Select Committee was advised of the role of the Service, location of the full and part time centres, the curriculum, mobile youth clubs and the street work scheme. The Service was aimed at young people aged between 9 and 25 years old but primarily with a focus on 13-19 year olds. The Service had recorded 61,000 attendances during the previous year and it had contact with 79% of all 13-19 year olds. It also provided support to a wide range of youth groups on the Island.

An outline was given of the Multi Agency Group Support Service. This dealt with young people who were referred to the Youth Service by a number of agencies so to provide support. This involved voluntary attendance at special structured activities for a two hour period each week.

Members were told that all full time staff had to be professionally qualified with part time staff having to attend a foundation training course. There was also a requirement for all paid staff to undergo 20 hours training per year. It was also possible for staff from other voluntary agencies to attend courses operated for the Youth Service.

The Youth and Community staff briefly outlined the work undertaken at Youth Clubs and how sessions were operated. Each Youth Centre was responsible for organising its sessions and opening times. The Select Committee was then made aware of the work of the IW Challenge and Adventure Trust which was based at Newport Youth Centre. The Trust operated a crime prevention initiative for 12-16 year olds.

The work undertaken by the street youth workers was complimentary to that undertaken in the Youth Centres. Areas were identified, in conjunction with the police, where it would be beneficial to make contact with groups of young people. In certain rural areas it was possible to utilise mobile youth provision such as at Shalfleet where a need for such a facility had been identified.

In considering the scoping document for the Best Value Review members thought that this was more detailed than that for other Reviews.. There was a need for the Appraisal Group to consider the content of this before the commencement of the Review.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT officers of the Youth and Community Service be thanked for their presentation.

(ii) THAT the draft Best Value Scoping document be reviewed by the Appraisal Group.

(iii) THAT the Head of Select Committee Support write to all members of the Select Committee seeking names of those interested in serving on the Best Value Appraisal Group.

(b) Draft Social Inclusion Strategy 2001/2005

The Select Committee was reminded of the background to the creation of a Strategy for Social Inclusion which had been lead by the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development. This had involved discussion with the Primary Care Trust, Crime and Disorder Partnership, Isle of Wight Partnership, Rural Community Council and Business Link.

The draft Strategy contained nine key aims which would assist in the development of an inclusive community on the Island. It also linked in with a number of other Council strategies and those of other agencies. It was necessary however for it to be understood that the Council could only help to influence and encourage change in a number of the key areas.

The Select Committee had been tasked to take the lead with Social Inclusion although it affected all Council Services. Members believed that it was necessary to review the Strategy on an annual basis so to assess progress in its delivery. Discussion also took place on whether there was a need for an officer to be appointed to deal specifically with Social Inclusion. It was thought however that this matter, due to its budgetary implications, could form part of the review process.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Executive be recommended to adopt the Social Inclusion Strategy for 2001-2005 and the Leader be authorised to endorse it on behalf of the Council.

(ii) THAT the Strategy be reviewed by the Select Committee on an annual basis.

CHAIRMAN