DECISION:

1.    Endorse the proposed youth service operating model.

2.    Agree to implement and operationalise the model.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR CHILDREN AND CULTURE (J. THOMAS)

Deputy Head of Service Development (L. Norberry)

Councillor Maium Talukdar (Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning (Statutory Deputy Mayor) introduced the report that proposed a major investment in the Youth Service which would deliver a transformation in the level of support available young people and a diverse range of youth work opportunities and support through the delivery of a high-quality youth service. Councillor Talukdar explained how he hoped the proposals would help to produce the community leaders of tomorrow.

Susannah Beasley-Murray (Divisional Director of Supporting Families) and Kelly Duggan           (HOS Youth Justice & Young People's Service) provided further detail of the proposals included in the report.

The Cabinet discussed the report and made the following points: 

·         The planned work would help to overturn under investment in youth provision by the previous administration.

·         Youth investment would help the Council’s wider aspirations to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).  

·         The demography of the borough, especially an increasing and increasingly dense population, necessitated enhanced access to youth services.

·         Proposals would also provide welcome jobs and training and development opportunities for local people

The Mayor welcomed the proposals. He explained how he feels he was a  product of the youth service, recounting how respectable and relatable youth workers influenced mentored and influenced his younger-self. He noted the significant additional investment in the service proposed, which totalled nearly £14million. He also stressed that the Council would continue work with schools and other youth providers as it did currently.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1.    Endorses the proposed youth service operating model.

2.    Agrees to implement and operationalise the model.