Archived decisions

Item 3

AT A MEETING of the YOUTH PANEL held at Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester on Thursday 16 March 2006.

Chairman:

p Councillor Mrs K. Heron

Vice Chairman:

p Councillor P.R. Edgar

25. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Councillor D.A. Kirk - Executive Member (with special responsibility) for Education, Mrs J. Lea and Della Hamerton.

26. 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 a personal interest in Item 8 (Minute 32) and Item 9 (Minute 33) as a member of the Committee of Youth Clubs Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

Councillor Hughes declared a personal interest in Item 8 (Minute 32) and Item 9 (Minute 33) by virtue of a family involvement with The Carroll Youth Centre.

Mr Upson declared a personal interest in Item 8 (Minute 32) and Item 9 (Minute 33) by virtue of his involvement with the majority of the organisations applying for grants.

Jodie Millard declared a personal interest in Item 8 (Minute 32) as a member of the Girls' Brigade.

27. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 10 November 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

28. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported on her attendance at a meeting between Councillors and members of Hampshire County Youth Council (HCYC) on the subject of County Council budget and expenditure. The Executive Member for Children's Services, Councillor Felicity Hindson, had agreed to send a summary of the Council's budget to the HCYC members for them to decide how they would allocate funds differently between services.

29. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations to this meeting.

30. COUNTY YOUTH OFFICER'S REPORT

The Panel considered and noted the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising developments in the Hampshire County Youth Service and updating Members on recent activities and projects. It was explained that the Test Valley area had been chosen to pilot the Hampshire Pathfinder scheme because it represented a cross-section of Hampshire communities, including a range of rural and urban areas. This project would specifically focus on work with vulnerable young people. Extensive consultation was taking place with organisations, agencies and young people to establish the issues and consider creative solutions. A variety of interviews, workshops and other methods had been used to gather information and opinions regarding common themes; overlaps or gaps in support; levels and sources of support; and partnership working.

Members were informed of the activities of Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs) and of HCYC. The Panel was advised that the structure of Hampshire Forum for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award was being reconsidered. It had been proposed to dissolve the Forum and replace it with a County Committee.

The Panel welcomed the outlined developments in HCYC and supported the proposed changes to the Hampshire Forum for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

31. PARTICIPATION

The Panel considered and noted the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) providing an overview of the role of the Youth Service in the support, facilitation and development of young people's participation in democracy. It was emphasised that there were many ways in which young people could participate and different levels of participation. The Panel were pleased to hear that Hampshire's young people were at the forefront of participation in the UK and in Europe. Participation led to improvements in learning skills, group work, presentation skills, confidence levels and understanding of democratic processes. It could also help to channel the challenging behaviour of some young people towards making a positive contribution.

Members felt it important to encourage young people to become involved in the democratic process at all levels and to highlight to members of the press the positive impacts of participation. Members welcomed the work of the Youth Service in promoting the active participation of young people.

32. ANNUAL REVENUE GRANTS 2006/07

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) providing details on the annual revenue grants to voluntary youth organisations. The factors taken into consideration when determining the appropriate allocation for each application were outlined for Members. It was explained that those organisations working with more targeted services took priority for financial assistance and that organisations were encouraged to seek further funding from other sources.

RESOLVED

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member (with special responsibility) for Education:

a) That grant allocations totalling £137,300 be approved, as summarised below.

b) That the balance of £22,700 be added to the Project Development Grants for further allocation by the Panel during 2006/07.

Ref no.		County / district	Amount
ARG168	Hants & IOW Youth Options	County	£15,000
ARG170	The Girls Brigade - Hampshire West	County	£450
ARG171	Hampshire County Scout Council	County	£5,000
ARG172	Hants Federation of Young Farmers Clubs	County	£12,000
ARG173	Youth Clubs Hampshire and Isle of Wight	County	£20,000
ARG174	Havant Youth Sail Training School	County	£8,000
ARG175	The Girls Brigade - Solent District	County	£450
ARG176	Girl Guiding Hampshire North	County	£2,000
ARG177	Hampshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services	County	£10,000
ARG178	The Source	Rushmoor	£5,000
ARG179	Emmaus Project	Rushmoor	£5,000
ARG180	Off the record	Havant	£5,000
ARG181	KIDS South Downs Thursday Club	Havant	£3,600
ARG182	Solent Youth Action	Eastleigh	£4,500
ARG183	Basingstoke Gateway Award	Basingstoke	£3,000
ARG184	Bishops Green Youth Project	Basingstoke	£5,700
ARG185	Winchester Street Reach	Winchester	£2,200
ARG186	Winchester Youth Counselling	Winchester	£2,200
ARG187	The Carroll Youth Centre	Winchester	£2,200
ARG188	New Forest & Romsey Mobile Project	New Forest	£2,500
ARG189	Community First New Forest	New Forest	£5,000
ARG190	Rkadia	East Hants	£5,000
	HCVYS		£13,500
	Total allocated		£137,300

33. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 2005/06

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) providing details of the organisations applying for Project Development Grants. It was noted that this was the final allocation of funding for 2005/06. The criteria used to allocate funding was outlined and it was explained that there was no specific budget for capital allocations.

RESOLVED

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the to the Executive Member (with special responsibility) for Education that grant allocations totalling £137,300 be approved, as summarised below.

HOG Ref	YS Ref No	Name	Grant
1379	Y341	The Katherine Wheel Teenagers Group	£160
1380	Y342	Whitchurch Youth Project	£750
1375	Y343	Solent Youth Action	£1,560
1042	Y345	Youth Clubs Hampshire and Isle of Wight	£2,350
1049	Y346	Off the Record	£2,600
1038	Y347	Hampshire County Scout Council	£2,000
1382	Y348	Youth in Romsey	£1,925
1215	Y351	The Carroll Youth Centre	£1,500
		Total	£12,845

34. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel was scheduled to take place on Thursday 15 June 2006.