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 4 (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.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2008 .

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the last meeting of the Working Group, held on 22 October 2008 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Working Group’s remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is Wednesday 14 January 2009 at 5pm.

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

The Chair gave Councillor Alexander as Young Person’s Champion, a standing invitation to attend all future meetings of the Working Group so that he could have a voice at the meetings. As he is not on the Committee he will not be able to have a vote.

Following the decision in September 2008 to postpone a bid for myplace until the second round of bidding in 2009, this paper updates Members on the current situation including the appointment of Phil Bixby, a local community architect, to assist with the process; a similar paper will be put to the Executive member for Children & Young Peoples Services and Advisory panel on 19 January.

Members had previously requested an update on preparations for a myplace bid, following the decision in September 2008 to postpone this until the second round of bidding in 2009.

Members heard from Phil Bixby, a local community architect who has been appointed to assist with the process. He advised Members that his brief consists of 2 main areas. The first is to pick up on the work previously undertaken in relation to the Railway Institute site and the second is to look into and identify a Plan B: a substitute facility which would be less ambitious in scope and could be the subject of an alternative myplace bid.

Mr. Bixby advised that he is turning the information already gathered for the Railway Institute bid into a brief for the project which will include the needs for the site and any conflicts. He will be liaising with young people to obtain more feedback about what they want from the site and advised that the first session with young people is due to take place the following week.

Members discussed possible ideas for a plan B site. Ideas  included a shop front/café with a drop in centre above or at the rear of the premises offering youngsters somewhere to go and socialise, but incorporating an area for advice and further information on Youth Services.

Officers commented that a high quality place for young people to meet is still a priority for York even if the myplace bid does not prove successful. Members were advised that the Railway Institute bid will remain the priority and that Mr. Bixby’s contract can be extended if required.

RESOLVED:             That the Young People’s Working Group  note this update.

REASON:                  So that additional investment in youth facilities in the City is in line with our corporate priorities, and the views of residents and young people themselves.

This report gives an update on the progress in producing the next Children and Young Peoples Plan (2009-12), which is being developed by the Yor-OK Board.

Members considered a report which updates on the progress in producing the next Children and Young People’s Plan (2009-12), which is being developed by the YOR-OK board. This follows extensive consultation with Young People and relevant bodies.

Officers outlined the Plan for Members and advised that the right hand column of the table in Annex B of the report, shows the list of proposed priorities. Members were advised that outcome 4 shows options and ideas that relate to “making a positive contribution”, which would be of particular interest to this Working Group.

Members commented that they would like to see a Festival of Youth in York as suggested in outcome 4. Certain Members felt that the suggestion was too tentative and should be something that is definitely carried out. Members suggested that the successful Over 50s festival could be used as a template for developing a Youth Festival in the City.

Officers advised that the main points of the plan will be made public through schools and the local link magazine. Members suggested that Ward meetings could be useful in broadcasting details of the plan to a wider audience.

RESOLVED:             1)That the summary of the views of Young People and their Parents at Annex A be noted by Members.

                                    2)That the proposed strategic priorities for the new Children and Young People’s Plan set out in Annex B be noted by Members.

RESOLVED:             To ensure that Children and Young People’s views are reflected in the new Plan.