Agenda and draft minutes

- to approve the RMBC response to the Youth Matters Consultation

The Senior Executive Director, Children and Young People’s Services, reported that Government had published the Green Paper “Youth Matters” in July, 2005 and requested feedback within a consultation period ending 4th November, 2005.

The main proposal of the paper was that local authorities would lead on developing youth policy and deliver this through an integrated Youth Support Service providing services ranging from universally available activities to specialist and targeted support. Local authorities would be responsible for planning and commissioning services from a variety of public, voluntary and private providers, against a new statutory duty to secure ‘positive activities for all young people’. There would also be a set of national standards for positive activities, which would provide a framework for local youth offers. Subject to consultation and parliamentary timetables, amendments to the statutory basis would come into force in summer 2006.

It was proposed that Local Authorities would take the strategic lead in delivering this Service through local Children’s Trust arrangements. Specific proposals were set out in the report submitted.

Officers undertook a consultation exercise with relevant partners and a response to Youth Matters was written following this consultation which was submitted as an appendix to the report submitted.

Comments on the document included reference to implementation of proposals contained in the Green Paper, the need for provision to be easily accessible by all young people in the area, and financing of the proposals.

Resolved:- (1) That the response by Rotherham MBC to the content of the Government Green Paper “Youth Matters” be agreed.

(2) That the report and response be submitted to the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel.