MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSON’S COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2002 COMMENCING AT 2.00 PM
Present :
Mr A J Mellor (Chairman), Mr C R Hancock, Mr J F Howe, Mr R C Richards (deputising for Mrs M J Miller), Mr I R Stephens, Mr D G Williams
Apologies :
Mrs T M Butchers, Mrs M J Miller, Mrs J L Wareham
Also present (non-voting) :
Mr J A Bowker
9. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2002 be confirmed.
10. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations made at this stage.
11. BEST VALUE REVIEW OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support reported on the findings arising from the Best Value Review that had been undertaken of Opportunities for Young People. The views of the Committee were sought so that these, together with the outcomes and recommendations, could be submitted to the Executive.
The Portfolio Holder for Social Services gave an overview of the main areas that were covered by the Review and the organisations that assisted in the Review.
The Committee had presentations on differing aspects of the Review from Mr David Hands of the Independence Support Unit; Steve White from the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service; Mrs Pat Ayles of the Best Value Unit; Mr Chris Smy the Youth Empowerment Worker and Miss Kelly Evans and Miss Claire Whittington of the Council’s Young Employees Forum. Consideration was then given to the main findings and recommendations arising from the Review.
Although the Review highlighted the good work being undertaken for young people on the Island there was a lack of overall co-ordination. An overall communication strategy would help overcome this. This would assist in ensuring that there was no duplication of effort. There was also a need to establish more effective ways of providing information to young people incorporating links to a wide range of facilities and services.
With regard to leisure young people believed that there was scope for new attractions but problems were still being encountered by young people gaining access to existing facilities due to the cost of public transport.
Concern had also been expressed as to the poor job opportunities for young people. This included insufficient vocational provision, poor work experience programmes and a more co-ordinated approach to careers advice.
In discussing the recommendations the Committee agreed that the development of a Strategy for Young People should be undertaken by a small Task Group involving relevant stakeholders. The foundation for such a strategy would link in with the eight key principles of the Connexions Service. The Strategy should also include the Equality and Diversity Policy and the Race Equality Scheme.
It was noted that the post of Youth Empowerment Worker had now been filled and the role that would be undertaken by this person outlined. In addition the Review had recommended that a Web-site Co-ordinator and a Work Experience Co-ordinator should be appointed. These would be in partnership with other relevant organisations.
The support of the Local Government Association would be sought for the introduction of a voluntary Young persons Community Service Scheme. This would be aimed at young people undertaking community activities which could then be used as credits towards the costs of training or student loans.
The feasibility of a providing a One Stop Shop for young people was to be further investigated together with a trial scheme of Hang-Out Shelters. This was also part of the Best Value Review on the Youth and Community Service.
In addition to the main recommendations a number of general recommendations had also been made. These related to a post of fund raiser, co-ordination of consultation, the forthcoming Best Value Review of Transport, future cross cutting reviews and a future MORI survey. Additionally it was recommended that the council adopted the definition of a young person as “anybody from birth to the age of 25 years”.
Officers indicated that it would be necessary to identify appropriate responsibilities and target dates associated with each recommendation. The Committee considered that this could be undertaken by the same Task Group dealing with the development of a draft Strategy for Young People.
The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the representatives of the different organisations for attending the meeting.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT a Task Group be established comprising the Chairman of this Committee, Chairman of the Education and Community Development Select Committee and Chairman of the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee together with relevant stakeholders to :-
(i) draft a detailed action plan for the implementation of the actions arising from the Best Value Review.
(ii) develop a draft strategy for young people;
and report back to the Committee within six months.
(b) THAT the findings and recommendations contained in the report be supported.
CHAIRMAN