Contact: Pete Marsh, Strategic Manager - Youth & Community, Tel: 01962 846805,

Email: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 Youth Opportunity Fund grants are intended to give young people, aged between 13 and 19 years, more choice and the opportunity to take greater control over what is available in their area.  The funds are to be distributed at young people's discretion on projects raised by young people to improve things to do and places to go in their area. The funds, given by the Government, were made available in September 2006 and are to be distributed and used by March 2008.

Youth Opportunity Funds are intended to involve young people, especially hard to reach young people, in identifying positive activities and things to do; and to support their role as decision makers, grant givers and project leaders.

Groups of young people from Hampshire who are aged between 13-19 years can apply for grants. Projects that involve or benefit groups of vulnerable young people will be given additional weighting in the decision making processes.

1.2 Supporting young people and youth organisations through the Youth Opportunity Fund extends the capacity to increase delivery of effective youth work and supports Corporate Priorities. Providing positive activities for young people leads to safer and more secure communities, the personal and social development of young people leads to maximising their wellbeing and the improvement of facilities enhances the quality of place. As well as enabling youth work organisations, grants help them to work towards the five outcomes of Every Child Matters by encouraging young people to stay safe, be healthy, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well being.

1.3 Grants over £5,000 from the Youth Opportunity Fund require the approval of the Executive Member. The report recommends the Executive Member for Children's Services allocate grants totalling £18,707 on this occasion from the Youth Opportunity Fund.

2 Recommendations

a) It is recommended that the Executive Member for Children's and Families approves Youth Opportunity Fund grant applications for 2007/08 totalling £18,707

3 Youth Opportunity Fund 2006 - 08

4 Grant applications for approval at this meeting

5 Consultation

5.1 All applications are approved by the relevant District young people scrutiny panel before being submitted for ratification by the Hampshire County Council approval process.

6 Legal implications

6.1 Whilst all organisations in receipt of grant funding receive a grant agreement specifying the terms and conditions of funding, these are not legally binding.

7 Financial implications

6.1 None

8 Personnel implications

8.1 No personnel implications have been identified for County Council staff. However, the recommendations may lead to a greater security in funding within the voluntary sector and may lead to increased employment.

9 Impact assessment

9.1 Race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the development of this report and no adverse impact has been identified.

10 Crime prevention issues

10.1 It has been demonstrated that good youth work reduces the likelihood of some young people being involved in crime. These recommendations will lead to improving partnerships between those involved in youth work by supporting a range of positive opportunities for young people

11 Views of the Local County Councillor

11.1 This report will be circulated to Members by Democratic Services and subsequent comments will be incorporated.

12 Conclusion

12.1 Ongoing work with the organisations listed in this report indicates that the services provided by them seek to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families. They also significantly contribute to the Children and Young Peoples Plan. As such, this report requests the approval of Executive Lead member for Children's Services for funding.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

Appendix 1

1. Youth Opportunity Fund 2007/08

Contact: Pete Marsh, Strategic Manager - Youth & Community, Tel: 01962 846805

1.1 Skate Park Shelter - War Memorial - Basingstoke

A grant of £9452 is recommended. The grant will pay for a shelter which incorporates benches for young people to watch safely those using the skate park. The park plays a vital role in the area and is a valuable community and leisure facility. The grant bid has been developed by the young people with the help of Detached Youth Workers who have been able to gain support from the District Council to provide them with bins and thus improve the facilities and community areas.

1.2 Rock School - Havant Arts Centre

A grant of £9255 is recommended. The grant will enable Havant Arts Centre to fund the Rock School for a further year following the current funds ceasing in January 2008. They have successfully run the school for the past two years and have regular attendance by young people who wish to continue after January. The grant will also cover the Rock School going "on tour" (5 venues) plus bursary places for 8 young people from disadvantaged areas which will include the provision of instruments.