Archived decisions

Item 2

AT A MEETING of the YOUTH PANEL held at Alton Community Centre on Thursday 16 June 2005.

PRESENT:

Councillors: P.R. Edgar (Vice-Chairman); F.G. Allgood (J.P.); Mrs P.G. Peskett.

Also in attendance: Mrs J. Lea - Diocesan Youth Work Adviser; Mr A. Upson - Hampshire Council for Voluntary Youth Service; Anne Gammon and other young persons - Hampshire County Youth Council and the Youth Parliament.

1. CHAIRMAN

    In the absence of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Heron, the Vice Chairman, Councillor Edgar took the Chair for the meeting.

    ________________________________________

    COUNCILLOR P.R. EDGAR IN THE CHAIR

2. 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.

3. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

4. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

No communications were received.

5. DEPUTATIONS

No deputations were received.

6. YOUTH SERVICE ANNUAL REPORT 2004/05

The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which summarised the achievements of Hampshire County Youth Service in relation to the targets set nationally for local authority youth services and the progress made in implementing the Transforming Youth Work Development Plan.

The County Education Officer circulated at the meeting the Annual Report for 2004/05. He highlighted examples of good youth work practice from across the County and various other facts and figures. In the majority of cases, the work had been delivered in association with at least one other partner agency. Not only had standards risen over the past year, but the numbers of young people involved with the service had increased.

RESOLVED:

That the progress of the Hampshire County Youth Service during the year 2004/05 be noted and the Annual Report be welcomed.

7. COUNTY YOUTH OFFICER'S REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising recent developments in the service and providing an update on current issues. These included `Mind the Gap', the youth service apprenticeship scheme for young workers; Hampshire County Youth Council initiatives; UK Youth Parliament; outline plans for additional youth service funding; and building improvements.

Following a Member's question the County Education Officer highlighted the additional sum of £250,000 allocated by County Council in March 2005 to the Youth Service, subject to Cabinet approval of a business plan. The Panel noted that Appendix 2 of the submitted report summarised how it was proposed to distribute the additional resources using the Youth Services funding formula to districts in Hampshire. It was noted that the Cabinet was due to consider the item shortly.

RESOLVED:

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

8. SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION POLICY - YOUTH SERVICE

The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the proposed Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) Policy for the County Youth Service.

The County Education Officer introduced the background to the report and explained the role of Hampshire County Youth Service in relation to SRE. It was reported that the voluntary nature of the relationship between youth workers and young people put them in a strong position to offer young people, when they were ready, the information and support they required to develop safe and responsible sexual relationships. It was noted that the draft policy document made full use of DfES and other guidance. It was confirmed that legal advice had been taken and that the comments of Hampshire Social Services had been incorporated. Also, as part of the consultation, the draft policy had been circulated to Members of the Hampshire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Board, to youth workers and to young people.

During a full discussion it was felt by some that the proposed policy had not been written in a user-friendly manner for those young persons for whom it was intended. However, it was explained that the style and language used was in accordance with existing national guidelines. Notwithstanding this, it was felt by the Panel that thought should be given to other forms of communicating the proposed policy to young persons and other interested parties. Also, the Panel expressed concern about the provision of condoms to young people under the age of 16. Several Members felt strongly that the Youth Panel report on this item should be re-written to refer to section 4.4 of the draft policy which incorporated reference to the legal framework, as well as the Fraser Guidelines for youth workers engaging in SRE with young people including the provision of condoms. The County Education Officer explained that the Youth Panel report itself would not be circulated to the Executive Member for Education but that instead it would be the intention to include the Panel's concerns raised at this meeting in the decision sheet to accompany the draft Sex and Relationships Education Policy for consideration by the Executive Member on 13 July 2005.

RESOLVED

That, in considering the draft Sexual Relations Education Policy, the Executive Member for Education be advised of the Panel's concerns raised at their meeting on 16 June 2005.

9. YOUTH SERVICE INVOLVEMENT IN CHILDREN'S HOMES

The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) outlining guidance for District Youth Work Teams for supporting young people living in Children's Homes. It was noted that such young people, because of their personal circumstances, had reduced life chances and often had little stability, reduced friendships, etc. As a result, access to local youth provision provided them with valuable support opportunities and this was commended.

RESOLVED:

That the youth work practice to develop arrangements which support young people living in Children's Homes be welcomed.

10. EQUALITIES IN THE YOUTH SERVICE

The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) summarising how the Youth Service is responding to and implementing the equalities agenda through the establishment of an Equalities Review Group.

RESOLVED:

That the work of the Equalities Review Group and the development of effective practice in the Hampshire County Youth Service be welcomed.

11. YOUTH SERVICE WORK IN THE EAST HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT

The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) about the youth work in the East Hampshire District which is managed and supported by Hampshire County Youth Service.

The County Education Officer highlighted the success of the East Hampshire Children and Young People's Strategy Group which had been established to ensure delivery of the youth action plan. It now incorporated Connexions and Children's Fund and had agreed to be a formal link to the Hampshire Children and Young People's Strategy Group. The County Education Officer was pleased to report that the Youth Service had recently improved the facilities at the Bordon Youth Centre which was situated on the site of the Mill Chase Community Centre.

RESOLVED:

That the current development of youth work in East Hampshire District be welcomed.

12. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 2005/06

The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) summarising Project Development Grant applications received since the last meeting and recommending to the Executive Member for Education allocations totalling £17,500.

    Councillor Mrs Peskett declared a personal interest arising on Item 11 - Y324 - as a member of the management committee of Youth Clubs Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

    Mr Upson declared a personal interest in Item 11 - Y324 and Y326 - by virtue of his involvement in the two grant applications.

    RESOLVED:

    That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Education that grant allocations as summarised below totalling £17,500 be approved.

    Reference No

    Name

    £

         

    Y324

    Youth Clubs Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

    4,000

         

    Y325

    Hart Community Outreach

    4,000

         

    Y326

    Stanmore Youth Centre Ltd - The Carroll Youth Centre, Winchester

    2,000

         

    Y327

    PALS - Partnership for Active Leisure, Havant

    2,000

    Y328

    Basingstoke Voluntary Services

    3,500

         

    Y329

    The Bivol Trust, Gosport

    2,000

         
     

    Total

    17,500

13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held at 4.30 pm on 10 November 2005; venue to be confirmed.

14. TRIBUTE TO ANNE GAMMON

On behalf of the Hampshire County Youth Service, the County Education Officer paid tribute to Anne Gammon who was attending her last meeting of the Panel. He thanked her for her outstanding contributions on behalf of the Hampshire County Youth Service. The Panel also thanked her and wished her every success in the future.

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