Item 2

AT A MEETING of the COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on Wednesday 26^th September, 2001.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillor Mrs. E.M.F. Randall

Councillor Mrs. P. Peskett

Southampton City Council

Councillor R.W. Harris (Chairman)

Portsmouth City Council

Councillor A. Ross

Probation Board

Mrs. A.F. Valentine (Vice-Chairman)

Dermot Boyle

Hampshire Police Authority

Councillor Mrs. M.D. Snaith

Youth Court Chairman

Mrs. D.M. Evans JP

Also in attendance:

P.J. Sutton - Manager, Wessex Youth Offending Team (YOT)

Ms. C. Tozer - Social Services, Southampton City Council

Mrs. P. Robinson - Social Services, Portsmouth City Council

J. Holland - Assistant Probation Officer

G.W. Wright - Social Services, Hampshire County Council

Chief Insp. M. Dulson, Hampshire Constabulary

Mrs. L. Sampson - Implementation Manager for the South Central Connexions

Apologies received:

P. Bingham - Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hants Health Authority

Jo Kelly - North and Mid Hants Health Authority

Ms. L. Hounslow - Southampton and South West Hants Health Authority

Mrs. M. Bowden JP - Youth Court Chairman

J. Doyle - Social Services, Isle of Wight Council

J. Cawthra - Education Department, Hampshire County Council

20 WELCOME AND CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP

The Chairman welcomed those in attendance and thanked them for attending.

The Chairman also informed Members that on behalf of the Committee he had sent a letter to Lady Hoddinott expressing the committee's sympathy at the passing of her husband, Sir John Hoddinott, former Chief Constable of Hampshire Police Constabulary. Sir John Hoddinott was instrumental in ensuring that there was effective partnerships including the establishment of YOT's in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The Committee's thoughts were with his family.

21 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 June, 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

Minute 16 - City of Portsmouth - The Work of the YOT and other Youth Crime Initiatives

The Wessex YOT Manager confirmed that a letter had been forwarded to the Home Office outlining the Committee's concerns about funding arrangements.

Minute 16 - Funding of YOT - Youth Justice Board Consultation Document

The Wessex YOT Manager reported that the review of Youth Justice Plans would be submitted to the Committee in January, 2002.

Minute 17 - The Work of the YOT and Partner Agencies in Southampton

The Committee noted that interagency working was the key main factor contributing to the success of the Wessex YOT team in tackling youth offending. It was suggested that an evaluation of the effectiveness of the local fora groups be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

22 CONNEXIONS - A NEW STRATEGY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - AN UPDATE

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 3 in the Minute Book) and also received a detailed presentation from Lorna Sampson, Implementation Manager for the South Central Connexions.

The Connexions service was part of a pilot for the new national youth support service and was aimed at young people between the ages of 13 and 19 years. The service would give young people access to information, advice, guidance and support where necessary to reach their potential and make the successful transition into further education, training and/or employment. The service would go live in 2002.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the progress made to establish the Connexions Service for Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Southampton and Portsmouth be noted.


(ii) That Lorna Sampson, Implementation Manager for the South Central Connexions be thanked for both an informative and interesting presentation.


(iii) That a further update report be submitted to the Committee in March, 2002.

23 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, by virtue of Paragraph 8 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting in relation to Minute Nos. 24-26.

24 CONTRACTS FOR THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY REPARATION BY YOUNG OFFENDERS (CONFIDENTIAL)

The Committee considered a confidential report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 10 in the Minute Book) recommending that the Committee invite Hampshire County Council, on its behalf to commence a process for tendering for the continuation of service provision.

RESOLVED:

That Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Social Care be invited to approve the seeking of tenders for Reparation Services on behalf of the Partner Agencies of the Wessex YOT.

25 CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF A CONSULTANCY TO SUPPORT A REVIEW OF VALUE FOR MONEY IN YOUTH JUSTICE SERVICES (CONFIDENTIAL)

The Committee considered a confidential report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 11 in the Minute Book) recommending that the Committee invite Hampshire County Council, on its behalf to employ external consultants to support a full scale review of the partnership.

RESOLVED:

That Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Social Care be invited to approve seeking of tenders for a consultancy to support a "Value for Money" review of the operation of the Wessex YOT.

26 CONTRACTS FOR THE PROVISION OF BAIL SUPERVISION IN YOUTH JUSTICE (CONFIDENTIAL)

The Committee considered a confidential report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 12 in the Minute Book) recommending that the Committee invite Hampshire County Council, on its behalf to commence a process of tendering for the continuation of service provision.

RESOLVED:

That Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Social Care be invited to approve the seeking of tenders for a Bail Supervision service on behalf of the partner agencies of the Wessex YOT.

27 FUNDING FOR YOUTH OFFENDING TEAMS - AN ACTION PLAN

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing the Wessex YOT's Action Plan to meet the Youth Justice Board's objectives and funding arrangements for 2001/04.

RESOLVED:

That the Wessex YOT's Action Plan be approved.

(Mr. R.W. Harris, Chairman left the meeting and Mrs. A.F. Valentine (Vice-Chairman) took the Chair) (At this point the meeting became inquorate because there were less than 3 of the Local Authorities represented at the meeting).

28 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REFERRAL ORDER

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 4 in the Minute Book) detailing the current arrangements in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for implementing the new order.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

29 UPDATE ON RELEVANT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising developments in the Health Authorities and Trusts which may impact on youth offending.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the planned creation of a Strategic Health Authority for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight be noted and a further report be submitted in Spring 2002 on the implications for youth justice services.


(ii) That the Committee welcome the developments to improve access to mental health assessments for adolescent offenders and the appointment of specialist drug workers to YOT's.

30 INTENSIVE SUPERVISION AND SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME (ISSP)

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the implementation of Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme for Portsmouth/South East Hampshire. It was noted that the programme was fully funded by the Youth Justice Board and that the project would start in November, 2001.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the implementation of an Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme in Portsmouth and South East Hants be supported.


(ii) That the independent evaluation report of the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme be submitted to the Committee when available.

31 DATES OF MEETINGS IN 2002

The Committee noted the dates for meetings in 2002:

Wednesday 23 January
Wednesday 27 March
Wednesday 19 June
Wednesday 25 September

All meetings will start at 2.15 p.m. in Winchester with the possibility of one meeting being held at Portsmouth City Council Offices.

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