DECISION

1.    Approved Option 1 of the Youth Service Review, subject to the decision of the Council’s budget proposals; and

2.    Noted that the Mayor’s announcement that A team Arts would continue to be supported.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S SERVICES (D. JONES)

(Ronke Martins-Taylor, Youth Services Development Manager and Claire Belgard, Interim Head of Service)

A report was presented that sets out a proposal to transform the Council’s youth service with a bold ambition that a transformed youth service will become the recognised leader in providing diverse communities, across Tower Hamlets, with inspiring, positive activities and programmes for young people to use, so that, as they transition into adulthood, they are able to realise their full potential and create better futures. The youth service believes that:

·         The safety of young people is its first priority;

·         Every young person has worth, value and potential; and

·         The diversity of youth contributes to its success.

It was noted that Cabinet was being asked to agree the proposal to commence a restructure of the youth service, from January 2017. The restructure will see the creation of a new, partly internally delivered and partly externally commissioned, youth service which will improve user participation and service outcomes, by empowering the workforce to take responsibility for service delivery and, at the same time, resolving longstanding issues associated with service values and culture.  The restructure will maintain the level of delivery provided through the current interim model; and it will also provide a new vision and direction for the youth service which will form the basis of a three year strategic and operational plan.  As a result of consideration of this report and representations made by the Trade Unions and 'A' Team Arts regarding the impact of the proposals on the Youth Service. For example the concerns of 'A' Teams Arts should they no longer receive funding.

According the Mayor indicated that 'A' Team Arts would continue to be supported and:

RESOLVED

1.    To approve Option 1 of the Youth Service Review, subject to the decision of the Council’s budget proposals; and

2.    To note that the Mayor’s announcement that 'A' Team Arts would continue to be supported.