Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.    To undertake public consultation on whether Surrey County Council enables the voluntary community and faith sector to use the youth centres for the benefit of young people at little or no cost be agreed.

2.    To consult on whether Surrey County Council delivers universal open access youth work be agreed.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director Children, Lifelong Learning and Culture to work with Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families to agree and implement the local solutions following the conclusion of the consultation.

Reason for decision:

Transforming the existing universal youth work model and improving the access to youth centres required formal consultation. The options and solutions for each youth centre needed to be considered at a local level as part of the local engagement during the consultation.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee]

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Families introduced a report that sought agreement to consult on whether Surrey County Council delivers universal open access youth work and to enable the voluntary, community and faith sector to use the youth centres at little or no cost.

Mr Chris Townsend addressed the meeting and asked who was to be consulted and what questions would be asked during the six week consultation that would take place over the Christmas and New Year period.  The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Families referred to the report that showed discussions were already taking place with some organisations that had expressed an interest in providing youth activities.  Discussions had already started with borough and district councils. She also confirmed that buildings with long leases would also be in scope.  She went on to say that service officers were consulting with young people all the time and that there was a User Voice and Participations service that were experts at getting the opinions and feedback from young people.

RESOLVED:

1.    To undertake public consultation on whether Surrey County Council enables the voluntary community and faith sector to use the youth centres for the benefit of young people at little or no cost be agreed.

2.    To consult on whether Surrey County Council delivers universal open access youth work be agreed.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director Children, Lifelong Learning and Culture to work with Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families to agree and implement the local solutions following the conclusion of the consultation.

The decision was unanimous.

Reason for decision:

Transforming the existing universal youth work model and improving the access to youth centres required formal consultation. The options and solutions for each youth centre needed to be considered at a local level as part of the local engagement during the consultation.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee]

Mr Mike Goodman left the room for a few minutes during discussion on this item.