AT A MEETING of the COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on Wednesday 27 March, 2002

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillor Mrs. P.G. Peskett.

Southampton City Council

Councillor R.W. Harris (Chairman).

Portsmouth City Council

Councillor A. Ross

Isle of Wight Council

Councillor C.R. Hancock.

Probation Board

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

D. Boyle

Hampshire Police Authority

Councillor Mrs. M.D. Snaith

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.A. Doyle - Social Services, Isle of Wight Council

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

R. Faulkner - Education Department, Isle of Wight Council

C.E. Tedstone - Researcher, University of Portsmouth

T. Ellis - Senior Lecturer, University of Portsmouth

Apologies received:

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

Councillor R. J. Baulk - Hampshire County Council

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

Councillor N. Goss - Southampton City Council

Councillor Mrs. L. Semke - Portsmouth City Council

Mr. 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

G. Wright - Social Services, Hampshire County Council

Mrs. D.M. Evans JP - Youth Court Chairman

Mrs. S. Crocker JP - Youth Court Chairman
Mrs. M. Bowden JP - Youth Court Chairman

9 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 27^th March, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the inclusion of J.A. Doyle, Social Services, Isle of Wight Council in the attendance list and an amendment to J. Holland's official title.

Matters arising thereon

Minute No. 2 (Minute No. 21) - City of Portsmouth - the work of the YOT and other Youth Crime Initiatives

The Wessex YOT Manager confirmed that he had contacted the Home Office again about the funding arrangements and to date had still not received a response.

10 TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager and Chief Executive, Hampshire County Council (Item 2 in the Minute Book) setting out proposals to amend the terms of reference of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the modified terms of reference be approved.

11 A SURVEY INTO THE LEVELS OF SATISFACTION OF SENTENCERS IN THE YOUTH COURTS

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 4 in the Minute Book) detailing the results from the Sentencer Satisfaction Survey. The Committee also received a detailed presentation from the University of Portsmouth Research Team. The survey established that overall sentencers were satisfied with the services provided to the Youth Court by the Wessex YOT, but there were some specific parts of the Wessex area where improvements should be sought.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report of Sentencers Satisfaction with services provided to the Youth Court by the Wessex YOT, be noted.


(ii) That the University of Portsmouth Research Team be thanked for both an informative and interesting presentation.

(At this point in the meeting Councillor R.W. Harris gave his apologies and left the meeting. Mrs. A.F. Valentine took the chair)

12 YOUTH JUSTICE PLAN 2002-05

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 3 in the Minute Book) detailing the Youth Justice Plan for 2002-05.

The Plan identified the priorities for service development over the next three years. In particular discussion centred on the range of programmes for young offenders with poor cognitive skills, substance misuse problems and temper control. It was noted that as from 1 April, 2002 every young person given a referral order would be referred to a Panel comprising of specially trained officers. It was suggested that a report on the workings of the Panels be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the Youth Justice Plan for 2002-5 be noted and its distribution within relevant local agencies be encouraged.


(ii) That a update report on the workings of the new Youth Offender Panels be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

13 THE USE OF THE ASSET ASSESSMENT TOOL IN WESSEX YOT

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 5 in the Minute Book) concerning the Asset Assessment tool used nationally by YOT's to measure the strength of various risk factors associated with the likelihood of re-offending.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That Members have regard to the information emerging from ASSET when developing strategic plans in the Boards, Authorities and Councils.

14 THE USE OF CUSTODIAL SENTENCES AND THE SECURE ESTATE FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the performance in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in relation to measure four "reduce the use of secure estate".




RESOLVED:

(i) That the use of custody for young offenders and young people awaiting trial be noted.


(ii) That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee detailing the variation in sentencing patterns between the four youth court areas and in particular as they effect young offenders from different ethnic minority backgrounds.

15 OPERATION AND VALUE FOR MONEY REVIEW OF THE WESSEX YOT

The Committee considered a report of the Wessex YOT Manager (Item 7 in the Minute Book) updating the Committee on progress with the review.

RESOLVED:

(i) That progress with the operational and Value For Money review of the YOT, be noted.


(ii) That the Chief Executive of Quality Resource Management be invited to the next meeting of the Committee to discuss the consultation arrangements and to the September meeting to discuss the findings of the review.

16 ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Committee noted that the annual conference would be held on Monday 1 July, 2002 at Netley Police Headquarters commencing with a buffet lunch at 12.30 p.m. A draft programme for the day was circulated at the meeting and consideration was given to topic areas for discussion at the conference.

RESOLVED:

That the item be noted.

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