Issue - meetings

1.    That the strategy, attached as Annex A to the submitted report, be agreed, for implementation with immediate effect.

2.    That the strategy and needs analysis be published on Surrey County Council’s website.

3.    That officers develop a short, accessible summary of the strategy to share with Surrey’s Gypsy Roma and Traveller communities.

Reasons for Decisions:

Implementing the strategy is key to reducing local inequalities and improving outcomes for Surrey’s GRT children and young people. The strategy also contributes to the Directorate’s wider approach to improving outcomes for all vulnerable groups of children and young people. Publishing it will help to communicate Surrey’s commitment to these objectives.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children and Education Select Committee]

The Cabinet Member for Children and families was pleased to present the Surrey’s strategy for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) children and young people and said that it was a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to improve the lives of these young people.

Surrey’s GRT children and young people had some of the poorest life chances compared with the county’s 0-19 population generally. The strategy identified how the Children, Schools and Families (CSF) Directorate, and wider partners, could reduce local inequalities and improve outcomes for Surrey’s GRT children and young people. A detailed needs analysis had been undertaken.

She said that the strategy included an action plan which identified key staff / partners who would take the recommendations forward and drew attention to the comprehensive Equalities Impact Assessment, attached to the report. She also acknowledged that accommodation was an on-going problem and that the County Council would be working with Boroughs and Districts in relation to traveller accommodation needs.

Finally, she thanked the Surrey’s Gypsy and Traveller Forum for their work in engaging with GRT communities.

The Cabinet Associate for Fire and Police Services also welcomed the report and stressed the importance of providing equal opportunities for all young people in Surrey.

Other Cabinet Members expressed their support for this strategy, acknowledging the importance of GRT culture but not denying their young people opportunity for education and working with this community to demonstrate the value and importance of education.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the strategy, attached as Annex A to the submitted report, be agreed, for implementation with immediate effect.

2.    That the strategy and needs analysis be published on Surrey County Council’s website.

3.    That officers develop a short, accessible summary of the strategy to share with Surrey’s Gypsy Roma and Traveller communities.

Reasons for Decisions:

Implementing the strategy is key to reducing local inequalities and improving outcomes for Surrey’s GRT children and young people. The strategy also contributes to the Directorate’s wider approach to improving outcomes for all vulnerable groups of children and young people. Publishing it will help to communicate Surrey’s commitment to these objectives.