Agenda item

No declarations of interest:

Officer present:

Kevin Martin, Youth Support Services Team Manager

KM had a video to show at a future meeting showing a group of young people who had gone on a winter residential trip, which Members had contributed to via their allocations.

KM explained that their summer project aimed to coordinate the services offered by all youth providers in the district

There was general agreement that the YSS do a great job especially in light of the recent severe cuts to their funding. The potential fallout from this had not been properly risk assessed.

Members discussed whether the Malthouse Youth Centre was well located in the centre of Dorking. There had been instances of ASB in particular in St Martin’s car park and it was suggested that limited opening hours (2 evenings on a permanent basis and one additional one being temporarily funded), has contributed to the problem.

It was highlighted that the formula on which funding is based relates only to the number of NEETS (not in education, employment or training) and does not take into account other challenges such as ASB – unfortunately Youth Justice figures were not included in the report. The question was raised as to whether the LC might be able influence the Cabinet to revisit this issue.

KM explained that in the summer they will use local police ASB statistics to see if there is a causal link between this and the level of youth activities provided.

Chris Townsend expressed his dissatisfaction with the formula and complained about the inconsistencies. One particular scheme for young girls in Ashtead had been cut and there was now a reliance on the voluntary sector to fill the gap.

Stephen Cooksey remarked on police reports of increased ASB in Dorking over the last weeks. As a result the opening hours of the Malthhouse youth centre were an issue of concern particularly compared when compared to those of the youth centres in Leatherhead North and Ashtead Village.

 Hazel Watson expressed her view that the Malthouse was in a good location to for those pupils attending both the Ashcombe and the Priory. KM agreed but also suggested that the Goodwyns estate should also have a youth centre. It would be wrong to think that the Malthouse was empty during the day as it was used by the Youth Support Services to meet with vulnerable young people. It was also used Monday to Friday, between 9am and 3pm during term time as a referral school that supported the mainstream schools in Mole Valley.He was optimistic that links with the Dorking football club would provide future opportunities for training and apprenticeships.

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Cllr Mary Huggins highlighted the work being done by volunteer youth workers at the centre in Beare Green, which had received an award from the High Sheriff in the form of additional funding.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed to note:

(i) How Services for Young People has supported young people to be employable during 2015/16, as set out in the appendix to this report