Issue - meetings

This report summarises progress towards preparing a bid, driven by young people and in partnership with the voluntary sector, for “myplace” monies to create world-class youth facilities in central York.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the views of the young people who had been working on the project be noted;

(ii)         That the submission of a bid to secure “myplace” monies to develop centrally-based facilities for young people in York be supported in principle;

(iii)       That the site options available be noted and the young people’s preference for the city centre site be supported;

(iv)    That further officer-led work through the rest of the month be supported, to establish the detailed site and partnership options, so as to enable final appraisal nearer the deadline as to the relative merits of submitting a bid now, or deferring it until a further bidding round;

(v)     That Members be kept informed of progress with this work.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To secure additional investment in youth facilities in the city in line with corporate priorities, and the views of residents and young people themselves.

Members received a report which summarised progress towards preparing a bid, driven by young people and in partnership with the voluntary sector, for “myplace” monies to create world-class youth facilities in central York.

Two young people who had been working on the project attended the meeting to offer their views.  They suggested that facilities should include a café, an outdoor area, places to relax, a hall to host events in and one to one rooms for advice.  They also highlighted the need for the facilities, given the current lack of facilities in the city centre and the size and inaccessibility of other facilities in the city.  Further details of the work on the project were available on a web log at http://www.myplaceyork.blogspot.com/.

Councillor James Alexander, the Children & Young People’s Champion, also addressed the meeting.  He highlighted the need for the bid to go forward, reported the view of young people that membership of the facilities should be free and emphasised the need to consider transport links.

The Assistant Director (Partnerships & Early Intervention) briefed Members on the site options and the young people expressed their preference for the city centre site that was being considered.

Members thanked the young people for their work on the project and for attending the meeting, and officers for their support.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the views of the young people who had been working on the project be noted;

(ii)         That the submission of a bid to secure “myplace” monies to develop centrally-based facilities for young people in York be supported in principle;

(iii)       That the site options available be noted and the young people’s preference for the city centre site be supported;

(iv)    That further officer-led work through the rest of the month be supported, to establish the detailed site and partnership options, so as to enable final appraisal nearer the deadline as to the relative merits of submitting a bid now, or deferring it until a further bidding round;¹

(v)     That Members be kept informed of progress with this work.²

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To secure additional investment in youth facilities in the city in line with corporate priorities, and the views of residents and young people themselves.