Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest to record.  

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member for Cohesion held on 19^th June, 2012.  

Resolved: -  That the minutes be agreed as an accurate record for signature by the Chairman.  

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular individual (including the Council) and Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter).

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council)).

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Youth Services Manager, Schools and Lifelong Learning, Children and Young People’s Services.  The report outlined proposals to create an Integrated Youth Support Service for Rotherham. 

The report outlined that, against the backdrop of significant reductions in public expenditure, it was now important to refocus reduced resources on targeted, effective and seamless services for young people.  The proposed Integrated Youth Support Service provided an opportunity to realign and redefine provision for local young people in a way that would lead to improvements in delivery and outcomes. 

Discussion ensued, and the following issues were raised: -

• Engagement with the voluntary sector;
• Future uncertainties about the services’ revenue and grant funding streams;
• Changing statutory duties of the Local Authority in relation to providing careers information, advice and guidance in schools from September, 2012;
• The range of the Local Authority’s ‘offer’ to all phases of schools;
• Completion of Equality Impact Assessments on the proposed changes;
• Linkages with the Trouble Families’ initiative and workstream;
• The role of the proposed Integrated Service in working with the Contact, Assessment and Referral Team to provide interventions where individuals and families did not meet the criteria for social care referral;
• Provision of apprenticeships for young people;
• Positive case studies that supported the implementation of an Integrated Youth Support Service. 

The Cabinet Member noted the positive work that had taken place in the initial stages of the integration proposal. 

Resolved: - (1)  That the report be received and its content noted. 

(2)  That further reports be presented to the Cabinet Member in relation to the developing proposal.   

• Monday 24^th September, 2012, to begin at 11.30 am in the Rotherham Town Hall.  

Resolved: - That the next meeting take place on Tuesday 24^th September, 2012, commencing at 11.30 am in the Rotherham Town Hall.