Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the YOUTH PANEL held at The Wedge Youth Centre, Winton School, Andover on Tuesday 2 July 2002.
PRESENT:
Councillors: Mrs Carole Leversha (Chairman); Mrs S.E. Allbright; P.R. Brown; R.J. Ellis; Jo Kelly; Mrs P.G. Peskett; Mrs P.A. West.
Also in attendance:
Rev. Karina Green - Co-opted Member, Portsmouth C.E. Diocese
Councillor A. Mandry - Hampshire and Isle of Wight Association of Local Authorities
Oliver Edwards - Young Person
Rhiannon Smith - Young Person
Suzy Fulton - Young Person
20 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 11 March 2002 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
21 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised that she was delighted to have been appointed Chairman of the Panel. Special thanks were made to Councillor Mrs P.A. West who because of other work commitments was unable to take on the chairmanship of the Panel. The Chairman was also pleased to report that Colin Smith, Youth Service Manager, had been seconded from the Youth Service to the Government Office for the South East to advise and assist them in implementing the Connexions strategy across the South East. The secondment was anticipated to last from August 2002 until March 2003. The Chairman considered the secondment to be a credit to Colin Smith and to the County Youth Service. As a result of the secondment the Service would be looking at changing the responsibilities in the Management Team to cope with developments and to cover his absence. This would provide opportunity for in-house advancement.
The Chairman also referred to the body of reports in the agenda and pointed out that the Service had been allocated additional funding for two projects. Hampshire County Council was the third largest authority nationally to have been allocated £172,000 for helping to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001. In addition £407,000 had been allocated for the Transforming Youth Work Development Fund. The Chairman advised that whilst this additional funding was welcome it was not sufficient to meet the demands placed upon the Youth Service. In particular the Transforming Youth Work Development Fund was short term and would cease after 2003/04. The Panel echoed the Chairman's concerns about the short term nature of funding arrangements.
22 COUNTY YOUTH OFFICER'S REPORT
The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) summarising recent developments in the County Youth Service and updating Members on current issues. In particular the report highlighted the latest Government guidance "Working Together - Connexions and the Statutory Youth Service"; Hampshire County Youth Council work achievements and issues; responsibilities for the Youth Service under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and Joint Services to Youth Best Value Review.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the current developments in the Youth Service be welcomed and noted.
(ii) That the contribution of the Hampshire County Youth Service to Connexions be noted and recognised.
23 YOUTH SERVICE WORK IN THE TEST VALLEY DISTRICT
The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) detailing Youth Service work in the Test Valley district, including references to significant achievements and information on current projects.
In particular the Panel were pleased that five members of staff were about to complete the local qualification in youth work. The achievements of the "First Gear" and "On Two Wheels" projects delivered in the district to enable young people to take to the road safely were also noted. In addition the Panel welcomed the commitment of the Test Valley team in the establishment of The House in the Foyer Project.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the current developments in youth work in Test Valley be welcomed.
(ii) That thanks be extended to the Senior Youth Worker and the Test Valley local team.
24 YOUTH SERVICE AND SCHOOLS: WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) recommending to the Executive Member for Education the adoption of a new protocol for guiding the working arrangements between the Youth Service and schools in Hampshire.
The proposed protocol established the principles, practices and financial arrangements for Youth Service work within a school site. In particular, the protocol included a statement on shared values, guidelines on the working arrangements for managing Youth Service work within school sites, a recommended Code of Conduct in relation to pupils, young people and visitors, and a framework for agreeing financial costs and payments.
The Panel welcomed the proposed protocol and understood that it would improve the guidance given to headteachers and governors, Youth Service Managers, Senior Youth Workers and other key people in the Education Service. The Panel did however query the reimbursement of off-site caretakers but were reassured that this had been sufficiently covered in the protocol. The Panel also queried the level of usage of County Council owned sites and suggested that the County Youth Officer undertake a premises audit to categorise the level of usage.
RESOLVED:
That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Education that the proposed protocol be adopted.
25 THE YOUTH SERVICE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2003-2006
The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) recommending to the Executive Member for Education the adoption of the proposed Strategic Development Plan for the Hampshire County Youth Service for 2003-2006: Managing, Supporting and Promoting Effective Youth Work.
RESOLVED:
(i) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Education that the Youth Service Strategic Development Plan for 2003-2006: Managing, Supporting and Promoting Effective Youth Work, be approved.
(ii) That the County Youth Officer report progress and developments at future meetings of the Panel.
26 TRANSFORMING YOUTH WORK DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAMME PLAN
The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing the fund programme plan, submitted by the Hampshire County Youth Service to develop opportunities created by the Transforming Youth Work Development Fund for 2002/03.
RESOLVED:
That the Programme Plan in response to the Transforming Youth Work Development Fund, approved by the Government Office for the South East, be supported.
27 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 2002/03
Councillor Mrs P.G. Peskett declared a non-pecuniary interest in the grant application received from Winchester Giessen Society, and Mrs P.A. West declared a non-pecuniary interest in the grant application received from Andover Young Carers Project.
The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) recommending to the Executive Member for Education, grant allocations totalling £17,920.
RESOLVED:
That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Education that the grant allocations as set out in the appendix to the report and summarised below, totalling £17,920 be approved:
Reference No. |
Name |
Grant |
Y232 |
Alresford Youth Association |
|
Y233 |
Groundwork Solent |
£2,300 |
Y234 |
Wickham Youth Club |
£1,650 |
Y235 |
Winchester Giessen Society |
£4,000 |
Y237 |
Lymington Detached Youth Project |
£4,000 |
Y236 |
Andover Young Carers Project |
£1,970 |
TOTAL |
£17,920 |
28 REVIEW OF GRANT AID
The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer and County Treasurer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) summarising the findings of the review of Grant Aid and recommending to the Executive Member for Education the adoption of proposals for policy and priorities with effect from 1 April 2003.
RESOLVED:
That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Education that:
(i) The proposals outlined in the report for policy and priorities be adopted with effect from 1 April 2003.
(ii) That the proposals outlined in the report for the process to be developed so that arrangements are in place for the financial year starting 1 April 2003.
29 COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE - MINUTES
The Panel received the Minutes of the Combined Youth Justice Committee held on 27 March 2002.
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