Agenda and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda. The following interests were declared:

• Councillor Fraser – a personal interest in agenda item 6 (myplace) as an affiliated member of the Club and Institute Union and as a City of York Council nominated participating observer on York CVS Board of Trustees.
• Councillor Looker  - a personal non prejudicial interest in item 6 (my place) as Company Secretary of York Theatre Royal.
• Councillor Runciman – a personal interest non prejudicial interest in item 6 (myplace) as a Trustee of York Theatre Royal.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2008.

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the last meeting of the Working Group, held on 10 July 2008, be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

In addition, Bill Eave, the Regional Contact for UK Youth Parliament had been invited to attend the meeting in relation to agenda item 5. He brought 3 young people to talk to members about UK Youth Parliament.

This report gives an update on the progress of the consultation on the Children and Young Peoples Plan 2009-12, which is being developed by the Yor-OK Board.

Members considered a report which gave an update on the progress of the consultation on the Children and Young Peoples Plan 2009-12, which is being developed by the Yor-OK Board.

Children from Tang Hall and Heworth Primary Schools took part in an exercise which saw them explore some of the issues raised by children and  young people during the consultation so far. Comments in relation to how to improve York were evaluated by the children and placed on a diagram in order of importance.

Officers advised that the decisions made by the children during the exercise would be taken into account and reflected in the Children and Young Peoples Plan.

RESOLVED:             That Members note the developments outlined in the report and receive a future report on the consultation activity conducted.¹

REASON:                  To ensure children and young people’s views are conveyed directly to Members.

This report provides supplementary information to that received by members at the previous meeting of the Young Peoples Working Group on the level of support that would be required if York was to resume membership of UK Youth Parliament.

Members considered a report which provided supplementary information to that received by Members at the previous meeting of the Young Peoples Working Group, on the level of support that would be required if York was to resume membership of UK Youth Parliament (UKYP).

UKYP was launched in July 1999 as an independent national charity which works closely with the Government. According to UKYP, 90% of all LEAs in England are currently participating, meaning York is included in only 10% who do not participate. There are currently over 500 Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs). York is allocated 1 MYP place and a number of Deputies can also be nominated. UKYP is for young people aged 11 to 18 years and enables them to be involved at a national and local level with the democratic process and to become involved with issues of concern.

Mr. Joe Armer who had registered to speak on this item under the Public Participation Scheme, spoke in support of York joining UKYP. UKYP had been brought to his attention through the media and he was disappointed when he found York was no longer a member. He would like to see York involved in the future and felt UKYP was something young people in York would be interested in.

As requested from the previous meeting, Members heard a presentation from 3 young people who are currently involved in UKYP in Leeds, Sheffield and Barnsley. They advised members on the benefits of a City being involved in UKYP, such as:

• Enables young people to work in conjunction with the local council to bring a fresh perspective on issues concerning the community.

• Provides young people with a way in which to be heard.

• Can break down barriers between the young and the wider community.

• Can tackle local issues which are important to young people.

• Promotes self confidence and personal development in the individuals involved.

In Leeds the MYP has worked on behalf of 9 separate issues and advised that a potential MYP for York would need to be prepared for a large workload. He stated that although it can be hard work it is rewarding. The role can attract media interest and the Sheffield representative outlined a scenario where the MYP for Sheffield met with the editor of the local newspaper. In Barnsley, the MYP had been involved with the tackling of graffiti and the creation of a skate park. The young people advised that the UKYP also has an effect nationally and that the recent Government announcement detailing plans to make sex and relationship education compulsory in schools was a result of a UKYP campaign.

Members queried the costs involved in running UKYP, such as the provision of a Youth Worker to work alongside the elected young person and travel expenses but said that in general the information they had received had provided them with an insight into how York could benefit from being involved in the UKYP. Members were advised that some funding is provided by UKYP  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

This report provides an update on progress in identifying suitable city centre facilities that could be developed for young peoples use and made the subject of a bid for myplace Government funding

Members considered a report which updated on the progress in identifying a suitable city centre facility that could be developed for young people’s use and made the subject of a bid for MYPLACE government funding.

Following a consultation with young people over the summer, it became clear that the city centre would be the preferred location for such a facility. A possible site was identified along with partners with whom to pursue the idea. However, due to the unique nature of central York the site in question presented officers with some difficulties. A series of planning issues came to the forefront along with other issues such as the deployment of existing tenants on the site and the ability to secure a long enough lease on the building in time for submitting the bid. Upon consultation with officers experienced in submitting bids through the Big Lottery Fund, it was with some reluctance, agreed to withhold making a bid for the deadline of 30 September. Instead, a bid for the second deadline of 30 March is likely to be made. This will give officers the chance to work in more detail on the technical obstacles which prevented a bid being submitted in September. Officers commented that although the bid had not gone ahead, progress had been made on the consultation and a clear picture of what is required had now been established.

Members commented on the importance of a city centre site, as this is what young people have asked for. They understood the difficulties faced by officers in trying to secure a site in central York in a relatively short timescale and queried if enough resources were available to the officers involved.

Members present who represent the city centre wards commented that no facility for young people exists in the centre of York. Somewhere for young people to go is the top priority for many residents when asked what they would like to see put in place in the city centre and stated that it was important that officers made this a high priority.

The possibility of devising a back up plan was discussed in the eventuality that a viable city centre location could not be found. It was the general consensus that a facility in an outlaying area would be better than not having one at all. In light of the difficulties experienced by officers in attempting this bid, it was agreed that it may be useful for officers to look into a less complex site.

Members queried if this funding would be the last of this type, Officers advised that if the Government keeps to its 10 year strategy then there would possibly be more funding made available in the future.

RESOLVED:             1) That the progress in consultation with young people on the facilities they would like to see be noted, along with the difficulties faced in bringing forward a suitable site in the timescales available.

                                    2) That officers look into an alternative plan of action, including the possibility  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.