Archived decisions

Contact: Malcolm Rittman, County Youth Officer, tel: 01962 846370

1 Summary

1.1 This report summarises recent developments in the County Youth Service and updates members on current issues including: 10-13 Initiative; Hampshire County Youth Council; Best Value and Grant Aid.

2 10-13 Initiative

2.1 The Youth Service, in partnership with the Early Years and Childcare Unit, has developed a very successful pilot project focusing on after-school provision for 10 - 14 year olds. The pilot project was undertaken at The Basement Youth Centre, Chandlers Ford, where 30 - 40 young people attended the centre twice a week between 4.00 - 6.00 p.m. and took part in a range of curriculum activities.

2.2 A curriculum pack, which includes projects and activities to work with young people, has been produced and will be available nationally; staff have presented the findings of the pilot and run workshops at a number of national conferences. The DFES has recognised and commended the work.

2.3.1 A successful bid to the New Opportunities Fund has secured £180,000 over three years to extend the project into six additional districts. Additional financial support has been acquired from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. This has enabled a youth worker to be seconded to support the development of 10 - 14's out of school clubs.

3. Hampshire County Youth Council

3.1 Members of the Hampshire County Youth Council have found it difficult to maintain the schedule of sub-committee meetings they set earlier in the year. This has led to the postponement of two events until after the 2002 annual general meeting. A contributory factor to the difficulties has undoubtedly been the reduced level of support received from the County Youth Service following the secondment to Hart District of the Development Worker for Curriculum Development and Participation. Those attending the most recent meetings of the County Youth Council have made some practical decisions on re-scheduling their plans and are keen that every effort is put into re-launching the HCYC at the 2002 AGM.

3.2 The current officers of HCYC would welcome more interaction with elected members and senior officers of the County Council. They are keen to raise how consultation processes undertaken by the County Council can be improved with young people.

4. Joint Services to Youth Best Value Review Team

4.1 The Best Value review is moving towards the production of a draft report. The final consultations before producing the report are taking place in January and February, with Challenge workshops scheduled for January and March. Further work is being undertaken to compare services offered to young people by Hampshire County Council with other broadly similar authorities. It is likely that the review will recommend that the County Council produces a Youth Strategy to ensure the services it offers to young people respond to the needs of young people, are well co-ordinated, and take account of the services offered by the voluntary sector and other agencies. A full report on the review will be presented to the next meeting of the panel.

5 Grant Aid

5.1 The County Youth Service scheme of grant aid provides financial support to voluntary youth organisations for ongoing costs (Annual Revenue Grants) and specific projects (Project Development Grants). The scheme has been largely unchanged for many years whilst the priorities for Youth Service work and the needs of voluntary organisations have changed significantly.

5.2 The Youth Service is carrying out a review of the scheme of grant aid, consulting voluntary organisations about their needs and inviting proposals for new arrangements. The purpose of the initiative is to:

· review the current scheme of grant aid to voluntary youth organisations and

· develop proposals to adapt the scheme of grant aid in order to achieve:

_ maximum effectiveness

_ value for money

_ co-ordination with other County Council grant aid schemes.

5.3 A Reference Group will comment on proposals and provide advice on the future arrangements. The Group will take into account

· Best Value

· comparative data

· other Hampshire County Council Grant Aid

5.4 The Reference Group includes representatives from the Chief Executive's department; Arts, Community and Countryside; County Treasurer's and Social Services. A financial consultant to the County Treasurer is co-ordinating the consultation process and preparing recommendations for the Youth Service.

5.5 The review is being carried out between January and April 2002. Proposals will be finalised in May and reported to the Youth Panel in July 2002. New arrangements would be implemented from April 2003.

6. Recommendations

(1) That the current developments in the Youth Service be welcomed and noted.

(2) That the re-launch of the County Youth Council be supported by the Authority and that the County Youth Officer explore practical arrangements for more fully developing the involvement of the County Youth Council in the County Council's consultation processes.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

N.B. The list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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