Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the YOUTH PANEL held at Totton Youth Centre, Testwood Lane, Totton on Tuesday 11 November 2003.

PRESENT :

Councillors: Mrs C A Leversha (Chairman); Mrs S E Allbright; P R Brown;

Jo Kelly; Mrs P A Peskett.

Mrs J Lea - Diocesan Representative - Winchester Diocesan Board of Education.

Councillor A Pattie- Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Association of Local Authorities.

Mr A Upson - Hampshire Council for Voluntary Youth Service.

Michael Bailey - Youth Worker Rural Outreach

Laura Collister - Young person from Applemore College representing the Holbury area.

Jade Hannibel - Young person from Highcliffe School representing the Hordle area.

Anif Isikgun - Young person from Arnewood School representing the New Milton area.

60. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate, declare their interest and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed. Councillor Mrs Leversha declared an interest arising on Item 7 (Minute 66) in that she was involved with the grant application from the Young Carers Project. Mr Upson declared an interest in Item 7 (Minute 66) in that he was involved with the grant applications from the Winchester detached Youth Work Project, Carroll Youth Centre, King Alfred Activity Centre, Tadley United Reformed Church Youth Project, The Base Youth Centre and the Youth Clubs and Hampshire Isle of Wight. The Chief Executive advised that these did not amount to prejudicial interests and that the members concerned could remain in the meeting and speak during the course of the relevant debate. Councillor Mrs Leversha and Mr Upson advised that they would remain in the meeting whilst the applications were being discussed but would not participate in the relevant debates.

61. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2003 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

62. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that in the summer she had attended the opening of the Applemore One Stop Connexions Shop. Her young hostess had told her how much it all meant to her and how she had grown in confidence and self esteem as a result of being involved with the whole project.

The Chairman also reported that on 9 October she had attended the AGM of Youth Clubs Hampshire and the Isle of Wight which was held at The Castle in Winchester.

Peter Parfrey, the Area Youth Worker for Test Valley North had received the John Oliver Bellasis Award for his commitment and support in launching and sustaining the Momentum programme, a pre learner driving course.

The Chairman was also pleased to report that she had had the pleasure of attending the Youth Options AGM which had been held in the innovative Intech building and this she considered was well worth a visit by both young and old.

The Chairman advised that Val Webster who had retired from the Youth Service due to ill health was seriously ill and the County Youth Officer advised that he would pass on the Panel's best wishes.

63. DEPUTATIONS

No deputations were received.

64. COUNTY YOUTH OFFICER'S REPORT

The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) summarising recent developments in the Hampshire County Youth Service and updating Members on current issues including young people involved in summer activities; Hampshire County Youth Council initiatives, Connexions developments and information, advice and youth counselling review.

The Panel noted the involvement of many young people in the residential activities, the successful exchange with Finland and the working alongside the Connexions team. The information, advice and counselling services linking with the Connexions Service and that the importance of reviewing these services was noted.

The Panel also noted that the Hampshire County Youth Council was growing in the numbers of young people involved and becoming a voice for young people.

In relation to the Connexions Service the Panel noted that the Connexions District Co-ordinator was working with the personal advisers supporting the young people to ensure that their work was effective. However the exchange of information only took place with the young people's consent and most of them consented to the share of information. The Connexions District Co-ordinator advised in partnership with the local network of agencies this mentoring role was very successful.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Education:

      (i) That Hampshire County Council bid for a contract with the South Central Connexions Partnership to continue the work of the Connexions Service.

      (ii) That the current developments in the Hampshire County Youth Service be welcomed and noted.

65. QUALITY ASSURANCE

The Panel considered a report of the County Youth Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) informing Members about the quality assurance procedures and introducing a quality assurance policy and procedures framework for the Hampshire County Youth Service. It also drew attention to the targets and performance indicators included in the measuring performance section of Hampshire's current youth work plan and indicating current progress in relation to the targets and the performance indicators.

The Panel noted that the County Youth Officer had not made contact with those people who did not use the service however it was his intention to consult widely and redress this issue.

RESOLVED:

      (i) That a Quality Assurance Framework for the Hampshire County Youth Service be produced and quality assurance procedures be fully implemented.

      (ii) That regular reports on the performance of the County Youth Service in
      relation to the targets and performance indicators contained in this report be received by the Youth Panel.

66. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 2003/04

Councillor Mrs Leversha declared a non pecuniary interest in the grant application received from the Young Carers Project. She decided to remain in the meeting whilst the application was being discussed but to not participate in discussion.

Mr Upson declared non pecuniary interests in the grant applications received from Winchester Detached Youth Work Project, Carroll Youth Centre, King Alfred Activity Centre, Tadley United Reformed Church Youth Project, Youth Clubs Hampshire Isle of Wight, The Base Youth Centre. He asked to remain in the meeting whilst the applications were being discussed but to not participate in discussion.

The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising project development grant applications received since the last meeting and recommending to the Executive Member for Education allocations totalling £44,603.

      RESOLVED:

      That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Education that the grant allocations as summarised below be approved.

      Reference No Name Grant

    Y267 14th Eastleigh Scout Group, Scout and Guide Band £2,000

      Y268 Winchester Detached Youth Work Project £2,767

      Y269 Carroll Youth Centre £1,466

      Y272 Kings Worthy Youth Project £2,800

      Y273 Young Carers Group £2,300

      Y274 Eastleigh Millennium Volunteer Project £1,320

      Y279 South East Hampshire YMCA £3,100

      Y282 Whitenap and Halterworth Youth Club £ 900

      Y278 Headley Down Community Association £3,600

      Y283 The Base Youth Centre £4,000

      TOTAL £24,253

      It was agreed that the following grant applications be deferred for consideration by the Chairman on the receipt of further information.

      Y270 King Alfred Youth Activity Centre £4,000
      Y271 Tadley United Reformed Church Youth Project £4,000
      Y277 South East Hampshire YMCA £3,000
      Y276 Youth Clubs and Hampshire Isle of Wight £2,300
      Y281 The Mental Health Group - Youth in Romsey £3,600
      Y284 Community First - New Forest £3,450

67. YOUTH SERVICE WORK IN THE NEW FOREST DISTRICT

The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) setting out information about Youth Service work in the New Forest District including references to significant achievements and key issues being addressed, information on current work and planned developments including a current list of Youth Service projects and networks.

    The Senior Youth Worker advised that she working hard on youth work priorities

    and more closely with the Primary Care Trusts. The Panel noted that the advice

    and information service needed to be available by telephone because of the size of

    the New Forest.

    The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Association representative advised that he was

    involved in a new citizenship programme initiative which linked in with the

    teaching process in schools and fed back strategies into the community. The

    County Youth Officer undertook to bring a paper on the way forward to a future

    meeting of the Panel.




    RESOLVED:

    That the current developments in Youth Work in the New Forest District be welcomed.

68. COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE - NOTES

The Panel received the notes of the Combined Youth Justice Committee held on
1 July 2003.

In relation to the Seminar held on 1 July and the future arrangements for the Committee, Councillor Mrs Peskett advised that she strongly supported the need to set up a Hampshire Youth Justice Forum. The Chief Executive advised that the Member's comments would be passed on to the next meeting of the Combined Youth Justice Standing Conference on 21 January 2004.

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