Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the YOUTH PANEL held at the Hampshire County Youth Service Office, One Wessex Way, Colden Common, Winchester on Thursday 18 March 2004.

PRESENT :

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

R J Ellis; Jo Kelly; Mrs P A Peskett

Also in attendance: Councillor D G Allen Executive Member for Education

Mr A Upson - Hampshire Council for Voluntary Service

Anne Gammon, Della Hamilton and Gerwyn Clegg - Young People representing the Hampshire County Youth Council and the Youth Parliament.

69. VAL WEBSTER

The Chairman asked Members of the Panel to stand for a minute's silence to remember Val Webster who had recently passed away. Members stood as a mark of respect.

70. 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 Peskett declared an interest arising on Item 7 (Minute 76) in that she was a Committee Member on the Youth Clubs Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Council. Mr Upson declared an interest in Item 7 (Minute 76) in that he was involved with grant applications from the Girls Brigade - Solent District, Hampshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services, Portsmouth Diocesan Board of Education, Hampshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, Off the Record, Bishops Green Youth Project, Carroll Youth Centre, Winchester Detached Youth Work Project, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Options, Youth Clubs Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Rkdia - Drum Housing Association, Havant Youth Sail Training Scheme, Hampshire County Scout Council, Crofton Youth Project, Hampshire North Guide Association, Girl Guiding Hampshire East and the Girls Brigade Hampshire West. The Chief Executive advised that these did not amount to prejudicial interests and that the member concerned could remain in the meeting and speak during the course of the relevant debate.

71. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2003 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.



Arising thereon:

Minute 63 - Chairman's Communications

Mr Upson asked Members to note that the John Oliver Bellais Award had been given to Peter Parfrey by the Youth Club Central Isle of Wight.

Minute 64 - County Youth Officer's Report

A Member questioned progress on the Youth Service Best Value Review and the need for Members to be represented on other key areas such as the Bus Strategy as transportation was important to young people. The County Youth Officer advised that the Best Value Review was being progressed through a Working Group and the County Youth Strategy would be presented to a meeting of the Cabinet in the near future. He added that he was aware that the Director of Environment was considering transport for young people.

Minute 67 - Youth Service Work in the New Forest District

A Member questioned the need for a future report on the way forward for new initiatives and the County Youth Officer advised that he would present a report to a future meeting of the Panel.

72. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman congratulated Councillor Mrs Peskett on becoming the Vice Chairman of the Combined Youth Justice Standing Conference and on the acceptance of that Committee of her recommendation that there should be a Hampshire Youth Justice Forum.

The Chairman reported that she had attended the Youth Council meeting on 10 February 2004 in the Wellington Room which had been so well attended that it had been almost standing room only. She had found the meeting productive and looked forward to the outcome from the workshops.

The Chairman also reported that Anne Gammon and Della Hamilton had been nominated as the Youth Panel representatives on the Youth Panel

The Chairman advised that she had enjoyed a supper with the Duke of Edinburgh Conference attendees at Marwell on 5 February 2004 and had found it useful networking.

The Chairman reported receipt of a thank you letter from Gerwyn Clegg for the funding for the County Youth Council.

73. DEPUTATIONS

No deputations were received.

74. YOUTH WORK PLAN

The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which detailed the draft Youth Work Plan for 2004/05 for the Hampshire County Youth Service which responded to national guidance to ensure that quality youth work was developed.

In particular Members noted that the Youth Service currently reached 18% of the population with ongoing participation of 12% however progress was being made to increase this percentage against the level of resources available.

The Panel noted that funding was still awaited from the Government Office of the South East (GOSE) for grants for transforming youth work and that no indication had been received as to the amount to be expected. The Chairman indicated that she found this unacceptable and felt that on behalf of the Panel she should write to GOSE expressing Members concerns and inviting a representative to attend a future Panel meeting to discuss the funding.

A Member felt that there should be more targeting of disengaged young people and the County Youth Officer advised that priority groups had been identified to work with whom he felt it was important to work with and the majority of the service's work targeted particular areas of the community or particular groups of people. In addition the work was becoming more focussed and the range of work was increasing. The Panel welcomed the adoption of the Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the Youth Panel advise the Executive Member for Education:

    (i) To approve the Hampshire County Youth Service draft Youth Work Plan for 2004/05 subject to the receipt of funding from the Government Office for the South East.

    (ii) That the Chairman on behalf of the Panel write to the Government Office for the South East expressing concerns about the funding arrangements in relation to grants for transforming youth work which were needed to meet the duties under the Special Educational Needs Disability Act 2001 and the need for the finance to be made available. In addition, a representative of GOSE should be invited to attend a future meeting of the Panel.

75. YOUTH SERVICE - DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which provided information about youth work and training carried out by the Development and Training team with reference to key issues. The report highlighted key achievements made during the last year, anticipated developments and issues for consideration. Particular reference was made to the validation of the Foundation Degree in Youth Work and the Local Youth Work at NVQ Level II where there was an interest from youth service staff to take these courses

Members noted that the Duke of Edinburgh's Award was a nationally recognised and well known vehicle for the personal development of young people and it was noted 34% were undertaking the Award in Hampshire compared to 16% nationally which was an increase of 23% in Hampshire compared to 26% nationally on last year's participants completing the award.

The County Youth Officer advised that one of the roles of the Deputy County Youth Officer was to establish the role of the Voluntary Sector more fully. It was noted that there was a changing attitude towards the Youth Service particularly at the age of 8 which was the transition from primary to secondary school.

The Panel noted the comments of the young people attending the meeting in relation to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award which they felt should be publicised more widely in Schools.

RESOLVED:

    (i) That the report be noted and the current work of the Development and Training Team be welcomed and that they be congratulated on their achievements.

    (ii) That the Duke of Edinburgh's Award be publicised more widely in schools throughout the County.

76. ANNUAL REVENUE GRANTS 2004/05

The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) advising the Executive Member for Education to approve the grant applications summarised below and that the balance of the Annual Revenue Grants be added to the Project Development Grants for further allocation by the Panel.

Members welcomed information on individual Grant Applications being sent to Local Members for consideration. so that they were informed of what was happening in their divisions, Members requested a report on the principles of meeting the needs of the Voluntary Sector and the Hampshire County Youth Service to be presented to a future meeting of the Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised:

    (i) allocations as summarised below totalling £129,250 be approved. In respect of ARG129 Bishops Green Youth Project, the sum of £8,700 be agreed, subject to the Executive Member for Education being satisfied with further information being submitted to his Decision Day on 25 March 2004.

    Reference No Name Grant

    ARG123 Girls Brigade £250

    ARG124 14-25 Winchester Youth Counselling £2,000

    ARG125 Carroll Youth Centre £2,000

    ARG126 The Source Café £3,000

    ARG127 Millennium Volunteers £2,000

    ARG128 Rkdia - Drum Housing £4,000

    ARG129 Bishops Green Youth Project £8,700
    ARG130 Havant Youth Sail Training Scheme £4,000

    ARG131 Emmaus Project £4,070

    ARG132 Forest Bus £5,000

    ARG133 Hampshire North Guide Association £2,000 ARG134 Hampshire Scout Council £3,000

    ARG135 Portsmouth Diocesan Board of Education £3,500

    ARG137 Girl Guiding Hampshire East £2,250

    ARG138 Hampshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs £16,000

    ARG139 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Options £14,000

    ARG140 Youth Clubs Hampshire and Isle of Wight £21,000

    ARG141 Eastleigh Millennium Volunteers Project £4,000

    ARG142 Off the Record £5,000

    ARG143 Girls Brigade £750

    ARG144 Alabare - The Junction £8,500

    ARG145 Winchester Detached Youth Work Project £2,600

    ARG146 Crofton Youth Project £1,700

        TOTAL £129,250

    (ii) That the balance of the Annual Revenue Grants be added to the Project Development Grants for allocation by this Panel.

    (iii) That in future information on Grants Applications be sent to the Local Members for their consideration so that they are kept informed of what is happening in their divisions.

    (iv) That the Deputy County Youth Officer submit a report on the principles of meeting the needs of the Voluntary Sector and the Hampshire County Youth Service to a future meeting of the Panel.

77. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 2003/04

The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on Project Development Grant Applications considered by the Chairman and the County Youth Officer since the last meeting of the Panel on 11 November 2004.




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

Y271 Tadley United Reformed Church Youth Project £4,000 Y281 The Mental Health Group - Youth in Romsey £3,600

In respect of Y276 Youth Clubs and Hampshire Isle of Wight, the County Youth Officers advised that

In respect of Y277 South East Hampshire YMCA, it was noted that the work was being concentrated in certain areas with focus on the democracy Agenda.

78. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 2003/04

The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) summarising Project Development Grant applications received since the last meeting and recommending to the Executive Member for Education allocations totalling £17,875.

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
Y270 King Alfred Activity Centre £4,000
Y284 Community First £3,450 Y285 1005 City of Winchester Squadron Air Cadets £1,450 Y286 Liss Woodcraft Folk £1,000
Y277 Woolton Hill Youth Club £3,000 Y288 Impact and Laser Youth Group -
Buckskin Evangelical Church £1,350
Y289 The Source Youth Café £3,000
Y290 SNAPS - Special Needs Activities and Play
Schemes £625

79. COMBINED YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE - NOTES

The Panel received the notes of the Combined Youth Justice Committee held on 27 September 2003 and the Minutes of the Combined Youth Justice Standing Conference held on 21 January 2004.

8pM102304