Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 9 September 2015.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Leisure and Community Policy Development and Review Panel held on 9 September 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.  

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a presentation by the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services on the provision of Youth Services in the Borough.

At the agreement of the Chairman, this item was taken before the Work Programme report.

The Panel received a presentation by the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services on the provision of Youth Services in the Borough.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Miss Bell Executive Member for Leisure and Community addressed the Panel on this item.

The presentation gave an overview of the Youth Services within the Borough and how these services may be affected following pending funding cuts from Hampshire County Council. The presentation outlined the current activities and organised youth groups that are currently available to young people in the Borough, and how possible funding cuts may affect these. The only assurance provided by Hampshire County Council is that funding for vulnerable young people will continue to be provided.

The Panel were shown a visual summary of the consultation with young people in the Borough who use these services. This highlighted the fact that young people mainly like to ‘hang out’ in outside areas, which in turn can create other issues with Anti-Social Behaviour.

The presentation also outlined four possible options that the Panel could consider in relation to ways of tackling potential funding cuts. These were:

·         Do Nothing

·         Create a Youth Activities Fund

·         Undertake a Review of the Community Grants Criteria

·         Consider potential for Mobile Youth Resource

Councillor Price addressed the Panel and stated that although the cuts would be a challenge the Council could not sit back and do nothing. He also expressed the importance of involving young people in deciding which services are important to them moving forward.

The Chairman and other members expressed the importance of Outreach Workers and noted how these are an invaluable part of Youth Provision in the Borough. There could be a devastating effect on vulnerable young people if these services were cut.

Councillor Knight expressed his desire for the Council owned building to be better used in order to provide more income which can be used to provide additional funding for youth services.

Councillor Price raised concerns on ‘one off’ funding options and the Panel agreed that revenue would need to be reviewed on a yearly basis with the emphasis on the fact that it could not be used as a continuing source of funding.

It was AGREED that:

(a)  the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services be thanked for his informative presentation;

(b)  the content of the presentation be noted.

To consider a report by the Director of Operations which reviews the Panel’s proposed Work Programme for 2015/16.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Operations which reviewed the Work Programme for 2015/16.

The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services addressed the Panel and stated that he had received a request from Y-Services to attend a Panel meeting and provide a presentation on the services that they currently provide within the Borough. In light of the previous presentation on Youth Services it was felt that this item should be presented to the Panel at the next available meeting in January and that the item on Open Spaces Improvement Programme be deferred to the March meeting. In addition to this it is proposed that a presentation by One Community be included into the work programme for the March meeting.

Councillor Knight enquired if the open spaces report would include details of the Daedalus open space. The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services advised that it is unlikely this information will be provided in the Open Spaces report scheduled for the March meeting, but he will ensure that information regarding this is provided to the Panel as soon as it is possible.

Councillor Mrs Pankhurst addressed the Panel and asked for her thanks to be passed on to the Countryside Officer and his team for the Walk around Holly Hill.

It was AGREED that:

(a)  the addition of a presentation from Y-Services be added to the Work Programme for 20 January 2016 meeting;

(b)  the report titled Open Spaces Improvement Programme be moved from 20 January 2016 to 2 March 2016 meeting;

(c)  a presentation from One Community be added to the Work Programme 2 March 2016 meeting; and

(d)  subject to the changes at a, b and c above, the Work Programme for 2015/16 be approved.