Cyflwynwyd gan:Cyng / Cllr Craig ab Iago
Decision:
1.
To accept the report and
allocate up to £50,000 from the Transformation Fund to set up a fund to assist
Community Councils that wish to retain a Youth Club to bridge the financial situation
until they have established their own funding arrangements for 1 April 2019.
2. To delegate the right to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Leisure and
Culture in consultation with the Head of Children and Supporting Families
Department to establish a prudential management procedure to manage the fund's
expenditure.
Minutes:
The item
was submitted by Cllr Craig ab Iago
RESOLVED
1.
To accept the report and
allocate up to £50,000 from the Transformation Fund to set up a fund to assist
the Community Councils that wish to retain a Youth Club to bridge the financial
situation until they have established their own funding arrangements for 1
April 2019.
2.
To delegate the
right to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Leisure and Culture in consultation
with the Head of Children and Supporting Families Department to establish a
prudential management procedure to manage the fund's expenditure.
DISCUSSION
The report
was submitted noting that the members were aware of the background to this
item. It was added that a Notice of Motion had been submitted during the Full
Council on 3 March which asked the Cabinet to reconsider elements of the new
model. The Cabinet looked at every element individually.
Change
of emphasis from the community to the welfare of individuals
It was
emphasised that it was a statutory change by the Government that the Youth
Services supported young people with their learning and teaching, focusing on
young people not in employment, training or education. Nevertheless, it was
noted that the new service would offer a service to everyone, and not to these
individuals only. It was added that 14% of young people went to clubs, and the
need to target more young people across the county was therefore noted.
It was
added that:
-
A
consultation had been held by the Corporate Support Department, asking what was
important to young people. It was noted that the top three things were Mental
Health, Housing and Alcohol and Drugs Problems, which coincided with the
observations received when discussing the Youth Service with young people.
-
Activities
had taken place in Porthmadog, and the feedback was satisfactory but it was
asked what the feedback was across the county. A programme of activities had
been arranged for the summer, and they were in the process of arranging forums
so that it would be possible to have a discussion about the type of activities
with young people.
-
Connections
in England was mentioned - a project that failed. This was a national project
that was specifically for careers, and not for Youth Services. It had failed,
but the Youth Service was offering much more than careers only.
The
impact on deprived areas
It was
noted that Maesgeirchen and Caernarfon were seen as deprived areas in
accordance with Welsh Government's definition, but it was added that there were
deprived areas across the county. Nevertheless, it was added that the Equality
Assessment had identified the impact that would be had on both areas, and that
the service was working with the Town Council in Caernarfon to look at options,
and that they were hoping to do the same in Maesgeirchen.
It was
added that:
-
Two
petitions had been presented to the Council in Caernarfon, specifically about
Caernarfon. The SPLASH project would continue during the holidays and
activities would be held more frequently in the area.
-
It
was asked what kind of access would be available to the youth service for young
people. The staff had a role in discussing the needs of young people,
especially in the areas where young people did not have access to the former
service.
Impact
on the Welsh language
It was
noted that the language had been discussed as part of the consultation, and
that 0.2% felt that the new youth service would be detrimental to the language.
It was expressed that the Equality Impact Assessment noted that the remodelling
by holding more activities in the community would promote the language. It was
added that there were opportunities to promote the language through the new
service.
It was
added that:
-
The
new service could be linked to the work of the language charter, which was
being implemented in primary and secondary schools. The youth service would
promote the use of the Welsh language socially.
-
A
meeting had been organised with Hunaniaith to further discuss how to use and
influence young people to use the language.
Cooperating
with Town and Community Councils
Following
the observations of the Scrutiny Committee in January, it was noted that a
discussion was needed with some community and town councils on identifying ways
of cooperating. Nevertheless, it was emphasised that it was now too late in the
process to discuss this. Despite this, it was noted that 32 Town Councils had
received a letter, and 11 of these were eager to discuss further. It was added
that a further discussion was needed with the Councils, and that the department
would welcome a discussion on how it would be possible to provide a social
club.
It was
added:
-
Whether
it would be possible to discuss with the Councils how the former service could
be bridged with the new service. Some clubs had not been updated for around 20
years, and that the world had now changed. Nevertheless, if there was a desire
to keep the club, it should be endeavoured to do so but, a fund might need to
be secured to bridge both periods.
Appropriate
Help for the Youth Organisations that were Receiving Funding
It was
noted that the officers were working with the organisations - specifically the
main three, namely the Snowdonia Young Farmers, Meirionnydd Young Farmers and
the Urdd. The relationship was positive and it would be possible to collaborate
with the organisations to provide a service for young people.
It was
asked:
-
If
a member of staff was working specifically with the organisations. It was
expressed that the Regeneration Officer and the Youth Service Manager were
currently the contact points.
Observations arising from the discussion
-
It
was asked when the next language and equality assessments would be held on the
new service. It was noted that there was a continuous review but it was intended
to create an assessment at the end of the first year, namely September 2019.
-
It
was noted that the elected members and young people needed to be informed of
what was happening, and that progress reports would be required. It was
explained that this would be adopted immediately, emphasising that if the
communicating was weak, the new service would not work.
-
It
was expressed that there was funding available in the Transformation Fund to
aid the bridging period to facilitate negotiaton with Town and Community
Councils. It was resolved to allocate £50,000 specifically for this.
Awdur:Catrin Thomas
Supporting documents: