Agenda item

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on 24 November 2014.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

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It was reported that there had been eight registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, and that three Members of Council had also requested to speak in relation to the Called-In item.

Lara Foster spoke in support of Castlegate as a user of the services provided. She asked the Cabinet to work with staff, partners and service users to continue to provide this important service for young people in the city

Hayley Robson spoke on behalf of the York Carers Centre, as a Young Adult Carer Worker working with young people aged 16-25 to support them in their unpaid caring roles. She stated that the Castlegate services were fundamental to young carers who found them of particular assistance and very accessible, and said that any changes would impact heavily on them.

Pip Nix expressed her full support for Castlegate and she shared her experiences of the services provided, pointing out their positive impact for vulnerable young people.

Hannah Jobling, a Lecturer in Social Work at the University of York, spoke to reiterate the points she made at the previous Calling-In meeting. She believed that Castlegate provided a strong partnership and played a vital role in early intervention for young people in the city. She asked Members to reconsider the proposals in order to provide an holistic approach in an informal setting.

Sarah Douglas spoke on behalf of the counselling service at York College and as manager of the intensive personal advisers, previously known as Connexions workers who worked with under eighteens. She referred to the increase in mental health problems suffered by young people, highlighting the fact that they found it extremely difficult to access services due to fear of stigma and confusion. She referred to her view of the unsuitability of West Offices and to the need for guidance and support not only for under 18’s but for the 19-25 age group and for investment to save money in the future.

Ewan Main read a statement from the parents of a young person who had had received help from the Castlegate services, highlighting that the help received at Castlegate had been more effective than anything he had received elsewhere. He expressed his thanks for the immense support provided by the service.

Dr Alan Dunnett spoke as the former head of counselling studies at York University and on behalf of the city-wide third sector providers of counselling services. He considered West Offices to be unsuitable to provide anonymity for vulnerable service users. He said that young people would not want to attend multiple appointments but needed access to all services at one venue at a critical time in their lives.

Lynne Lacock spoke on behalf of the Counselling teaching team at York St John’s University referring to her long association working with young people and those training to work with young people. She expressed concern at the loss of this holistic service which provided a life line for many students. She referred to the decline in similar services and to the mental health problems students faced which put a strain on the University.

Councillor Brooks referred to the data in support of the proposals and expressed concern about the lack of consultation with both the York Mental Health Forum and the Learning & Disability Partnership. She felt the proposals were not supported by the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy and requested reconsideration of other options to protect an important service.

Councillor Runciman highlighted the importance of Castlegate in providing a recognised and well respected service. She referred to the need for early intervention when problems arose for young people and to the overwhelming support for the Castlegate services and she asked Members to delay closure to allow full consideration of all the options, including consultation.

Councillor D’Agorne spoke to represent the Green Party and as a Careers Advisor at York College referring to the inclusive and open door service Castlegate offered to all young people. He asked the Committee to work in partnership to find other models to ensure that budget cuts did not affect this vital service.