AT A MEETING of the COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on Wednesday 23 January, 2002

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillor Mrs. P. Peskett

Councillor R.J. Baulk

Southampton City Council

Councillor R.W. Harris (Chairman)

Portsmouth City Council

Councillor A. Ross

Probation Board

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

D. Boyle

Hampshire Police Authority

Councillor Mrs. M.D. Snaith

Youth Court Chairman

Mrs. E. McDonald JP

Mrs. M. Bowden JP

Also in attendance:

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

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

J. Holland - Assistant Chief Officer, National Probation Service, Hampshire

Chief Inspector M. Dulson - Hampshire Constabulary

J. Doyle, Social Services, Isle of Wight Council

A. Kennedy - Wessex YOT, Duke of Edinburgh Award Project

J. Cawthra - Education Department, Hampshire County Council

Ms. N. Trentham - Social Services, Hampshire County Council

Apologies received

Councillor Mrs. E.M.F. Randall - Hampshire County Council

Councillor Miss H.L. Humby - Isle of Wight Council

Councillor C.R. Hancock - Isle of Wight Council

Councillor Mrs. N. Goss - Southampton City Council

Councillor Ms. L. Semke - Portsmouth City Council

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

Jo Kelly - North and Mid Hants Health Authority

J. Black - Clerk to the Justices

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

1 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Councillor R.W. Harris, Southampton City Council be appointed Chairman of the Committee for 2002.

2 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 26 September, 2001 were confirmed as a correct record.

Matters arising thereon:

Minute 21 - City of Portsmouth - The Work of the YOT and other Youth Crime Initiatives

The Wessex YOT Manager confirmed that no response had been received from the Home Office about the Committee's concerns about funding arrangements. It was suggested that a follow-up telephone call be made together with a follow-up letter from the Chairman of the Committee.

Minute 31 - Dates of Meetings in 2002

The Committee confirmed that the meeting scheduled for Wednesday 25 September, would be held at Portsmouth City Council offices.

3 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Mrs. A.F. Valentine, Probation Board be appointed the Vice-Chairman of the Committee for 2002.

4 THE WORK OF THE YOUTH OFFENDING TEAM AND ITS PARTNER AGENCIES IN HAMPSHIRE

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 4 in the Minute Book) describing the management arrangements for Hampshire and a summary of four innovative projects, three of which were part funded by the Youth Justice Board.

The Committee also received a video presentation from A. Kennedy, Development Worker, YOT concerning the South East Hampshire Duke of Edinburgh Award Project.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That A. Kennedy, Development Worker, YOT be thanked for both an informative and interesting presentation on the South East Hampshire Duke of Edinburgh Award Project.

5 ANALYSIS OF YOUTH JUSTICE PLANS 2001/02 AND THE WESSEX YOUTH JUSTICE PLAN FOR 2002/03

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing the National Analysis of Youth Justice Plans, the management information requirements of the Youth Justice Board and requesting the Committee's approval for the priorities of the Youth Justice Plan for 2002/03.

The Committee were pleased to note that the Wessex YOT had been commended in the National Analysis of Youth Justice Plans and that the report highlighted two examples of good practice from the Wessex Plan.

During discussion the Committee also enquired about the education of young people in secure units. It was suggested that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the National Analysis of Youth Justice Plans 2001/02 be noted.


(ii) That the management information requirements of the Youth Justice Board be noted.


(iii) That Chief Officers be authorised to endorse the Youth Justice Plan for 2002/03 and the outline plan for 2003/04/05.


(iv) That a report of the Youth Justice Plan for 2002/03 be submitted to the March meeting of the Committee.


(v) That a report on the education of young people in secure units be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

6 THE WORK OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO PREVENT YOUTH OFFENDING

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising the ways in which Local Authorities were responding to the Government's "Quality Projects" initiative for children's social services.

The Committee also received a detailed presentation from N. Trentham, Quality Protects Manager for Hampshire Social Services. The presentation explained about the Quality Protects programme and the contributions from Social Services Department to youth crime prevention. It was noted that quality protects and the Children's Fund provided new opportunities for joint working and help to ensure that the responsibility for preventing youth crime continue to be shared.

The Committee discussed in detail the Children's Fund programme and suggested that a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That N. Trentham be thanked for both an informative and interesting presentation.


(iii) That a further report on the Children's Fund programme be submitted to a future meeting of the committee.

7 WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE FOR 2002

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 7 in the Minute Book) setting out a proposed programme of work for 2002 and including the first meeting of 2003.

RESOLVED:

That the programme of work as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved with the addition of the following items:

· Role of the Committee - implications of new constitutional arrangements on County and Unitary Councils for the conduct of business of the Committee.


· Best Value Report (Value For Money) - Wessex YOT.


· Children's Fund Programme


· Education of Young People in secure units.

8 ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE

RESOLVED:

That following consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman an annual conference in July, 2002 be arranged at Netley Police Headquarters.

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