MINUTES of the COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE held at Castle Hill Offices, Winchester on Wednesday, 24 September, 2003

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillor R.J. Baulk

Councillor Mrs. E.M.F. Randall

Councillor Mrs. P. Peskett

Southampton City Council

Councillor R.W. Harris - Chairman

Councillor V. Moore

Portsmouth City Council

Councillor Mrs C. Lowndes

Probation Board

D. Boyle

Mrs. A.F. Valentine

Hampshire Health Authority

Councillor D. Lipscomb

Youth Court Chairman

Mrs. R. Behan JP

Also in attendance:

P.J. Sutton - Head of Youth Offending Services

Chief Inspector M. Dulson - Hampshire Constabulary

Inspector A. Berkeley - Grampian Police

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

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

E.Ellam - Chief Executive's Department, Hampshire County Council

Apologies

Mrs. H. Humby - Youth Court Chairman

Mrs. M. Bowden - Youth Court Chairman

Mrs. E. McDonald - Youth Court Chairman

J. Doyle - Social Services, Isle of Wight Council

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

Councillor Mrs. M.D. Snaith - Hampshire Police Authority

I. Piper - Primary Care Trusts

1. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

The Chairman informed the Committee of the passing of Jack Holland, Assistant Chief Officer, National Probation Service and explained that he had written to his family to express the Committee's sympathy. The Committee stood for a moments silence. It was noted that a Thanksgiving Service would be held at 2.00 p.m. on Friday, 7 November, 2003 at Winchester Cathedral. Tickets for the service could be obtained from the National Probation Service by contacting Angela Townsend-Brown.

The Chairman also took this opportunity to welcome Miss. Liz Ellam from Hampshire County Council, Chief Executive's Department who was in attendance in relation to Minute No. 3 below. The Chairman also welcomed Inspector A. Berkeley from Grampian Police who was in attendance to watch the workings of the Committee. The Chairman also reported that the Youth Court Chairmen appointments were due for renewal in October, 2003 and that he understood Maureen Bowden would not be putting herself forward for re-selection. He thanked Maureen for her faithful attendance over the last couple of years. The Committee were also informed that Pam Robinson of Portsmouth City Council would be leaving the Authority to take up the post of Head of Performance Development at West Berkshire Council. The Committee thanked Pam Robinson for her professional expertise and wished her well in her new position.

2. NOTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The notes of the meeting held on Tuesday,1 July, 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising thereon:

Minute No. 1 (Minute No. 6) - Annual Update of the 2002-05 Youth Justice Plan

In relation to concerns expressed about facilities available to young adults between the ages of 18-21 held in secure estate it was noted that the Head of Youth Offending Services would speak to Richard Pearce, Assistant Chief Officer, National Probation Service, to raise the Committee's concerns. It was also noted that since the last meeting the situation regarding the allocation of places to young offenders via the National Bed Bank had improved. It was suggested that a report be submitted to a future meeting detailing the placement of young offenders in secure estate.

Minute No. 3 - Monitoring the Treatment of Young People from Black and Ethnic Minority Groups by the Youth Justice System

The Committee discussed the value of obtaining information about the physical and health needs of young offenders and suggested that a report on the impact of the Disability Discrimination Act on the Youth Offending Team be submitted to a future meeting.

3. FUTURE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council summarising the discussion which took place at the seminar in July, 2003 and recommending the adoption of modified terms of reference for the Committee (Item 4 in the minute book refers).

The key points from the seminar were set out in the report and the Committee discussed in detail the proposed terms of reference. The finalised terms of reference are attached at Appendix I to these minutes.

The Committee supported a proposal for the establishment of a Hampshire Youth Justice Forum. It was therefore suggested that the Head of Youth Offending Services make arrangements for the establishment of such a forum.


RESOLVED:


(i) That the modified terms of reference reflecting the future role and responsibilities of the Combined Youth Justice Standing Conference (as the Committee would henceforth be known), as set out in Appendix I to these minutes be approved, and that the relevant Executive Members of the constituent local authorities be advised accordingly.


(ii) That a Hampshire Youth Justice Forum be established.

4. YOUTH JUSTICE - THE NEXT STEPS

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Youth Offending Services detailing the main recommendations in "Youth Justice - The Next Steps" companion document to the green paper entitled "Every Child Matters". The consultation period ended on 1 December, 2003 and the Committee's views were requested. (Item 5 in the Minute Book refers).

The Committee agreed wholeheartedly with the comments set out in the report and also requested that the response highlight that whilst the Committee welcomed the various initiatives to tackle the problems caused by, and the needs of, those young people who do become involved in crime, the funding implications should be carefully considered.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the Government Consultant Paper "Youth Justice - the Next Step" be noted.


(ii) That the Chairman respond on behalf of the Committee by 1 December, 2003 with the Committee's suggestions.

5 DATES, TIMES AND VENUES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

The Committee noted the following:

· Wednesday 21 January, 2004

· Wednesday 24 March, 2004

· Wednesday 22 September, 2004

(All meetings to be held at 2.15 p.m. at The Castle, Winchester).

COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE STANDING CONFERENCE Appendix 1

TERMS OF REFERENCE (with effect from September , 2003)

1 The role of the Standing Conference shall be to:

(a) foster the partnerships established between Local Authorities and other statutory agencies with the aim of reducing offending by young people.


(b) promote wide-ranging consultation in relation to the inter-agency strategy set out in the annual Youth Justice Plans.


(c) approve the annual Youth Justice Plan for presentation to the Local Authorities.


(d) to receive reports from the Chief Officer's Group and Management Board about the performance of the Wessex Youth Offending Team and of the Local Authorities and other participating agencies in relation to the annual Youth Justice Plan,


(e) to make recommendations to the relevant Executive Members for Social Care and Education Services of the Local Authorities, the Hampshire Probation Board, the Strategic Health Authority, the Hampshire Police Authority and the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.

2 The Standing Conference shall comprise:

· Two members from Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council, who have responsibility for Social Care and Education or scrutiny of these two areas.

· Two members from the District Councils appointed via the Association of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Authorities (HIOWLA).


· One member of the Hampshire Police Authority.


· Two members of the Hampshire Probation Board.


· One member of the Strategic Health Authority.

· One member representing Primary Care Trusts.

· Four Magistrates from the Youth Courts.


· The Clerk to the Justices for Hampshire.

Authorised substitute members may attend meetings in place of the nominated representatives if the latter are unable to attend, and can vote in place of that member.

4 New persons may be invited to meetings at the discretion of the Chairman after consultation with the Head of Youth Offending Services but these persons may not vote on the appointment of the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

5 The Standing Conference shall elect from among its members every January a Chairman and Vice-Chairman who shall be entitled to seek re-election, but for not more than three successive years.

6 The Standing Conference shall meet not less than three times each year.

7 The Secretary of the Standing Conference shall convene additional meetings at the request of the Chairman or within seven days of receipt of notice from any of the constituent Authorities.

8 Conduct of meetings of the Standing Conference shall be regulated by the Standing Orders of Hampshire County Council so far as the same are applicable and are consistent with these terms of reference.

9 A quorum for the Standing Conference shall be not less than six members.