ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE – 24 FEBRUARY 2004

YOUTH MOVER “PLUS” PILOT PROJECT – EXIT REPORT

MANAGING DIRECTOR WIGHT LEISURE AND HEAD OF ENGINEERING SERVICES

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

At the November 2003 Select Committee, members were presented with the interim findings of this pilot project and it was requested that a further report be made at the conclusion of the project. This is attached as Appendix A.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

To note the contents of the report and be aware of future developing initiatives.

BACKGROUND

This was a project identified as part of the Youth Transport Research recently undertaken and also based on the issues arising from the Connexions Youth Opinion Survey 2001, the One Stop Survey 2002, and the Best Value Review of Wight Leisure in2002.

Out of these came two clear messages from young people that the cost of transport and cost of access to facilities were barriers to participation.

This pilot project was designed to tackle both of these issues with an innovative partnership scheme.

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Best Value Review of Wight Leisure This project was identified to:-

– make the services more accessible by removing the transport barriers

– make the services more accessible by providing for young people.

The Island’s Local Transport Plan aims and objectives A1.2.2. – enhance quality of life – promoting a safer society and environment – provide quality amenities – reduce social exclusion.

Island Futures – The Community Strategy – 2.2 Better access to transport – 2.23 Overcome transport barriers to leisure participation – 3.13 Promoting equality, providing facilities for young people

IWC Corporate Plan 2.7 Reduce deprivation and social exclusion – promote healthy living – 2.15 develop youth and community activities – 2.20 encourage participation in cultural and leisure activities – 2.25 increase the number of people traveling by public transport

CONSULTATION PROCESS

The Youth Transport Working Party and all other partners in the project have been appraised with the interim findings. The partners being:- Southern Vectis, Island Line, Children’s Fund, IWC Engineering Services – Transport Section, Wight 2B Heard, Wight Leisure.

They will receive the report of the conclusion of the scheme in due course.

The participants of the scheme have had feedback on usage and survey outcomes at mid-term and end of project phases.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

At this stage there are no financial implications but funding assistance will need to be sought if there is to be a second stage trial based on the findings of this pilot.

Crime and disorder implications: The Youth Mover scheme positively promotes young people accessing facilities, friends and families which in turn makes them less likely to be involved in anti-social behaviour. The scheme also encourages access to facilities that consequently promotes positive personal development and career opportunities making them less likely to become involved in criminal activities.

APPENDICES ATTACHED

App A. Report on pilot scheme exit survey

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

Completed Exit Survey Questionnaires

Contact Point : Annie Horne 823350, John Sands 823830, Andy Morris 823780

ANNIE HORNE

Managing Director of Wight Leisure

STEPHEN MATTHEWS

Head of Engineering Services