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.

No other declarations were made apart from standing declarations which were attached to the agenda. 

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 22 July 2009.

The Chair informed the Committee about recent changes to the membership of the Young People’s Working Group following meetings of the Executive and the Full Council. 

At their meeting on 8 September 2009, the Executive had appointed Councillor Alexander, Young People’s Champion, as a co-opted, non-voting member of the Young Peoples’ Working Group.

The Member and Deputy Member of the Youth Parliament for York had been appointed by the Council on 15 October 2009 to join YPWG as co-opted, non voting members.

 RESOLVED:That the minutes of the meeting of the Young People’s Working Group, held on 22 July 2009 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 Friday 16^th October 2009 at 5pm.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report is for information.  It updates Members on the steps taken to create a Youth Council in York and includes a report from the Deputy Interim Member of the Youth Parliament for York on his experiences from the annual session of the Youth Parliament.

Members received a report updating them on the establishment of the new York Youth Council.

Officers reported that the first meeting of the Youth Council had been a success and that most schools had agreed to send two representatives to be part of the Youth Council.

Members asked about the composition and schedule of meetings for the Youth Council. They highlighted the importance of ensuring that young people themselves were involved in determining their training requirements and how these could best be met.

Officers replied that there were currently 28 Youth Councillors and that 25 of these would be attending a residential course where there would be 3 Youth Councillors from other authorities who would be sharing their experiences. They added that the Youth Council was expected to sit every six weeks.

Members suggested that, if possible, the membership of the Youth Council should be widened to include young disabled adults.

Members asked how the Youth Council would contribute to the Council’s decision making.  The Deputy Member of the Youth Parliament for York, who was in attendance, explained that the Youth Council would meet regularly with the Executive Member for Children and Young People. During the residential course consideration would be given as to the issues on which to campaign.

The Deputy Member spoke about his experience at the annual session of the UK Youth Parliament, which was attached at Annex A on the agenda. He added that the Member of the Youth Parliament for York was going to participate in a debate in the House of Commons on the 30 October 2009. He stated that the Member would be including feedback that he had received from young people at the first meeting of the Youth Council. 

RESOLVED:             That the report be noted.

REASON:                  To establish a Youth Council in York in line with corporate priorities and the views of young people themselves.

This paper outlines initial proposals to develop a Festival of Youth for the City, to be developed with a group of young people drawn from the new Youth Council, subject to securing the necessary funding.

Members considered a report regarding initial proposals to develop a Festival of Youth for the City, to be developed with a group of young people drawn from the new Youth Council, subject to securing the necessary funding.

Officers updated Members by telling them that a small working group had begun to meet to discuss the possible development of the festival. They highlighted that the festival had two key aims. Firstly, it would promote the talents of young people in the city. Secondly, the festival would also showcase opportunities available to Young People.

Discussion took place regarding funding for this project.  Officers stated that they were looking to attract sponsorship and that they were also considering making a Bid for Growth. Members suggested that education partners be approached for sponsorship or asked to provide stalls to inform young people of the opportunities available to them. Including schools in the marketing and advertising aspect of the event would also raise awareness of the event and keep costs down.  Members suggested that consultation should take place with other voluntary groups, such as uniformed and church groups, to develop the idea of the festival further.

Members asked officers about the subsequent follow up events following a city centre based festival.  Officers explained that the idea behind the festival was not that it would be just be a one-day event in the city centre. The festival was about helping young people to access opportunities and activities that were taking place throughout the city. The event in the city centre would act as a signpost to these other opportunities.

RESOLVED:  (i) That the Young People’s Working Group supported the planned Young People’s Festival in principle, subject to the identification of further funding.

                      (ii) That the suggestions put forward, including those relating to funding and promoting the event, be taken on board in the planning of the event.

(iii)             That the Working Group recommended that responsibility for planning the event be handed to the York Youth Council.

REASONS:     (i) To ensure that the Council gives full support to Young People’s active participation and to enhance the facilities for Young People’s activities in the city.

                        (ii) To ensure that all possible options have been considered taking into account Members’ local knowledge.

                       (iii) To enable the festival to be planned by Young People, for Young People.

This report is for information. It describes some new work being developed which will support Involvement in York such as: 

·                    Youth 4U – Young Inspectors;

·                    “Takeover day”.

Members received a report on two new initiatives supporting involvement of Children and Young People, “Youth 4 U-Young Inspectors” and “Takeover day”.

Youth 4 U- Young Inspectors

Officers stated that a co-ordinator had recently been appointed to manage the scheme on behalf of the Council. It was noted that the co-ordinator had worked with the Council and young people in past projects.

Members were informed that the scheme, which involved young people assessing services across the city, was not just going to be confined to Council services but that health partners were keen to be involved alongside the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.

Members sought clarification as to how the results of the inspections would be processed.  Officers explained that the results of the inspections would be fed back to the services along with an Action Plan for the improvement.  A follow up inspection would take place three to four months later.

Takeover Day

Officers informed Members that the Takeover Day was the third annual event in York and that a number of schools had signed up. The Lord Mayor was already working with schools, and the Chief Executive would also be participating in this event.

Members sought clarification as to whether there was a mechanism in place whereby schools could communicate with each other regarding their activities for Takeover Day.  Officers confirmed that information on Takeover Day was available on the YorOK website, but they would also seek to distribute the information elsewhere.

RESOLVED:             That the report be noted.

REASON:                  The increased involvement of young people is in line with corporate priorities, and the views of residents and young people themselves.        

This report offers Members a further brief update on the search for sites and funds to establish enhanced facilities for young people close to the city centre.

Members received a report, which provided an update on the search for sites and funds to establish enhanced facilities for young people close to the city centre.

Myplace

Officers updated Members and stated that they had recently been in discussions regarding the potential of using the proposed site at St Leonard’s Hospital as a facility for young people. There had been no consensus on the plans and this was still an ongoing issue. The redevelopment of the central library into an “Explore” centre may provide a lever to encourage others interested in the St Leonard’s site to be more willing to support the project.

Myplace Now

Officers updated Members by stating that another building on Fossgate had been identified as a possible facility for a youth run café venue. They added that this building was particularly good as it was not located on a busy street and it had big windows which meant that it would appear less threatening.  Officers told Members that they had been in discussion with the owner of the building and hoped that they could persuade him to become more involved in the proposal.

Members asked officers about the costs for the project.  Officers stated that the purchase of a venue including refurbishment and possible alteration works to make it into a suitable venue for young people could cost around £50,000 a year. They recommended that the facility should be in place for no less than three years.

Officers reiterated the need for access to resources in relation to the project and stated that it may be possible to bid for funds from the Youth Opportunity Fund. They also suggested that if a building were to be purchased for the project then the possibility of sub-letting a part of it could be explored.

Members welcomed the continuation of the search for a facility for young people but suggested that in order to attract funding, more visual and comparative promotional material should be produced regarding the need for a facility of this kind.

RESOLVED:             That the report be noted.

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